Children’s behaviour, including challenging behaviour, may be an attempt to satisfy a valid need or express a want, or be an indication of their needs or interests not being met. Environmental conditions may also influence children’s behaviour and generally with good environmental support, children thrive.
Children who feel valued and who observe and experience respectful and caring relationships between children and adults will generally learn to behave in respectful and caring ways with other children and adults. Adults who model positive attitudes, behaviour and appropriate use of language help children to learn socially acceptable ways of behaving and interacting with others. Children need support from the adults in their lives to interpret and express their needs in ways that are appropriate to the situation and environment.
When practices are based on respect, knowledge of children’s backgrounds and communities, their self-esteem and confidence will improve and they become more skilled at managing their own behaviour. Some behaviours regarded as challenging are simply age appropriate behaviour. For instance; a two year old not being able to sit still, or an eight year old unable to contain their excitement and wait for their turn. Learning to communicate needs and wants in appropriate ways is one of the many challenges young children face.
Behaviour can be described as challenging when it: