Understand Your Child’s Psychology Better

According to eminent psychologist Sigmund Freud, babies are initially driven by instinctive and selfish urges but gradually adapt to a more realistic approach by imbibing their parents’ values and rules. These play a role in the development of the child’s conscience. One of the most important things that you, as parents, should work upon is to understand your child’s psychology.

For this, you do not need to get a degree in parenting. Instead, the child psychologist in Kolkata explains you about child psychology and gives tips to understand what is going on in your child’s mind.

What is child psychology?

According to career counsellor in Kolkata, child psychology is vast and one of the commonly studied types of subject. This specialized branch focuses on the psychological process of children from birth to adolescence. It takes note of the psychological changes that occur from infancy. The scope of study includes motor skills, cognitive development, language skills, social changes, emotional development, etc.

Need for understanding child psychology

Parents have their way of interpreting their child’s abilities and skills, or lack of those. When you do not understand your child, you may misinterpret or misjudge them. Sometimes these misinterpretations can be harmless, but most of the times they are not. Parents’ role is key in a child’s psychological development. Lack of awareness about child development can often lead to poor judgement of children, which in turn leads to poor parenting decisions.

 A study in the University of Michigan revealed that children are directly affected by the amount of time the parent invests in their development. Hence, it is important for parents to educate themselves about the different aspects of child psychology and development so that they can contribute meaningfully towards the child’s emotional and mental growth.

Childhood psychological disorders

Children acquire certain behavior influenced by their parents, family members and society. Most children have minor behavioral issues such as being adamant and rude or lacking attention. If these issues get complicated they become disorders. Here are a few common psychological disorders that children face:

a.      Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Children with ADHD display three main characteristics – inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. They can also be fidgety, aggressive and excitable.

b.      Depression and bipolar syndrome

Children with bipolar disorder tend to have abrupt mood swings, long periods of hyperactivity followed by lethargy, temper tantrums, frustrations and defiant behavior.

c.       Anxiety disorder

Children with general anxiety disorder tend to worry excessively about everything. Even the most trivial of issues tend to give them sleepless nights.

d.      Asperger’s syndrome

This is a mild form of autism. Symptoms include lack of social skills, dislike in change of routine and familiar environment, no eye contact, unusual gestures and facial expressions, lack of empathy and awkward motor skills.

e.       Learning disability

 This is a psychological disorder that makes learning a challenge. Symptoms include inability to pay attention, poor memory, poor coordination, inability to follow instructions or directions and lack of organization.

f.       Disruptive behavior disorder

Children with this disorder may tend to bully others, isolate themselves from social institutions, destroy property or hurt animals.