Aggression in Children-Birth and Emotional Development: Understanding the Manifestations of Childhood Helping Children Develop Self-Regulation

Aggression in children appears very early, starting at birth, and is an integral part of their development. During the first year of life, aggressive behaviors are often the result of motor clumsiness and exploratory gestures that are not intended to be hostile.Understanding these behaviors helps guide the child toward emotional self-regulation. It is essential to help the child recognize and name their emotions, to understand that feeling anger or frustration is normal, but that violence is not acceptable. Support is provided through clear, consistent rules and empathetic dialogue that encourages the learning of emotion-management strategies, such as deep breathing or switching activities. Play and parental comfort are also key tools for supporting this learning and the development of positive social skills.