Do you understand your child?

Understanding your child is important for adopting proper parenting style. 

The different stages of child development are:

Babies: Birth to 2 years - The stage of beginning lives with possible expressions such as crying to communicate their needs, likes and dislikes and thus to meet their needs. They never become deliberately naughty. It is not advisable to shout, scream, hit or smack a baby.

Toddlers: 18 months to 3 years – A child’s brain is still developing during this period. They will have impediments to limit their emotions. Understand that behaviour in toddlers which is often seen as naughty is actually quite normal and part of growing up.

Pre-school age: 3 to 6 years - Emerging from toddlerhood to a new world of exploration and formal learning. They are open to learning numbers, letters, beginning reading, and simple math and showing skills for music and sports. Become interested in art, crafts, and all kinds of ride-on toys as it is the stage of developing gross motor and fine motor skills. This stage fosters the development of language, socialization, and creativity. Interest in exploring their environment promotes early interest in science.

School age (Pre-teen age): 6 to 12 years – Stage of constant learning and exploration of their world. They raise lots of questions as they start to form their own views on issues. They try to become more independent and push boundaries, and turn into more challenging. Remember, this is a necessary part of growing up.  

Teenagers: 13 to 18 years – These are identity making years and hence naturally more challenging. Disagree with parents in many ways and behave against their expectations and appear to be withdrawn and moody. Friends will become bigger influence than family.

(Indebted to various source)