Childhood should be a time of playful and carefree exploration. Yet, for many youngsters, it can also bring about a range of challenging emotions — including anger and frustration. It's not always easy to handle these emotions, particularly when they are misunderstood. But, with loving support and open communication, processing and regulating them can be made easier.
Before we delve into understanding aggressive behaviour in children, don’t forget to check out our previous posts on Mindfulness activities for children and How to deal with toddler tantrums (4 & 5-year-olds included).
Understanding child aggression
Did you know that aggression in early childhood can sometimes be a common phase in child development?
Indeed, young children may hit, bite, or yell as they navigate their emotions and interactions. "This type of behaviour doesn't always signify aggression,” notes Sarah Helena, a child psychologist and curator at Sandbox Experiences. “In early life, children explore the world physically, often using their mouths, and may bite or hit simply as a way to interact and learn."
As children grow and develop language skills, it's important for parents to explain why certain behaviours are not ok and can hurt others. "Parents should be concerned if they notice that their child understands their actions and continues to behave aggressively, despite being corrected," advises Sarah.
The home-school partnership
In the event that your child becomes involved in aggressive incidents at school, collaboration and communication with their class teacher is absolutely vital. Effectively addressing the root cause of the behaviour — and understanding possible solutions — is facilitated when both school and family collaborate.
This is equally the case in situations where your child becomes the victim of another classmate’s aggression. In these circumstances, it can be incredibly hard to empathise with the aggressor. But remember, it’s crucial to initiate a conversation with the parents of the aggressive child, as they may also be struggling with their own challenges.
Likewise, teaching your child the importance of asserting themselves (without resorting to aggression) is paramount. Encouraging your child to express their feelings — and reassuring them that they can trust and confide in you — can make all the difference.
Emotional expression through arts and crafts
Participating in arts and crafts provides children with a chance to express themselves creatively and helps them learn to navigate their emotions. They can be vital for emotional exploration and expression — and particularly helpful when regulating aggressive behaviour that arises from feelings like anger or jealousy.
Fostering conversation through art
As your child participates in arts and crafts activities, allow them to open up about their thoughts and feelings. Discuss the colours they choose, the shapes they create, and the narratives behind their art. This can pave the way for deeper understanding and communication between you and your child.
Emotional wellbeing through arts and crafts
Channelling emotions in a constructive way helps youngsters to process and understand their feelings better. In this way, arts and crafts create a secure environment for them to explore various facets of their personality and convey feelings that they may not yet be able to articulate with words.
Our advice? Explore different artistic mediums with your child, from painting and drawing to sculpting and crafting. These activities not only develop your child’s motor skills, but also provide a therapeutic outlet for their emotions. The process of creating something tangible can be incredibly satisfying and can help to reduce feelings of frustration or anger.
Supporting your child, each and every month
At toucanBox, we offer a variety of materials and creative ideas to help your child channel their emotions in a constructive way.
Visit our shop (specifically our Mental Wellbeing Collection) to find out more!
Looking to craft a path to emotional wellbeing, each and every month? Consider joining our Subscription Craft Club today to build your little one’s resilience, and kickstart their journey towards a brighter future today.
Written by The Sandbox Team, in collaboration with toucanBox
