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Guidance on Your Child's Behaviour and Child Care - Ruth's Response

Mum Zone's resident Child Behavioural and Child Care Expert Ruth, author of Choosing Child Care, is available to answer some of your questions.

Topics include: Guiding children's behaviour, setting developmentally appropriate limits / rules, holistic parenting, children's spiritual growth, establishing routines, activity ideas, setting up the home environment to help support routines and limits, strategies for dealing with sibling rivalry / establishing positive relationships, choosing a child care centre that meets your child's and family's needs, settling children into care outside of the home, being involved in your child's day when they attend care.

Check out our Child Behavioural and Child Care page or read another question now!

Reader's Question

I have a 15 month old son and a 4 month old son. My 15 month old has started in the last few weeks to bang his head against things (desk, floor, tiles etc). Whenever he is walking and falls over which is often as he is just beginning to walk alone he falls safely but will then have a tantrum and bang his head on the floor. He is also doing this whenever he is told no or redirected to something else. I am at a loss as to what to do. Please help.

Ruth's Response

Hi,

This is distressing for parents when you can see that the behaviour can hurt your child, because of this it often gets a big response from the adults around. Something to consider is that you have a new baby and developmentally your 15 month old would not understand the sudden arrival and more importantly attention that is being given to the baby. This behaviour is similar to a tantrum and tantrums are usually done for attention.

I suggest you:

  • Pay as little attention as possible to the behaviour
  • Give your son extra one to one attention. I know this is hard with a new baby but extended family and friends can also help with this.

I really feel it is nothing to worry about as I have seen many other children display this behaviour with it stopping when no attention is given. If it continues after ignoring or if it begins to escalate you could also consult your Doctor.

Regards,

Ruth

View more Guidance on Your Child's Behaviour and Child Care Questions and Responses.

The opinions expressed on these pages are of a general nature and are by no means a substitute for professional advice. Therefore neither Mum Zone or Ruth Powell of Choosing Child Care are liable for any actions pertaining to the use of the supplied information.