Different syndromes can occur in children at any age during their developmental period. After all, just like adults, children go through different psychological and spiritual processes. Trying to cope with many problems, children encounter things that they have not encountered before during their developmental period and begin to exhibit some different behaviors for the first time at certain ages. In these periods, parents’ being careful and adopting the right approach makes it possible for children to overcome the processes called syndromes in a healthy way. For example, one of the most challenging periods for children is considered to be the age of 2 years. The next 3 years are just as challenging and crazy for parents. However, with the right behaviors and attitudes, many parents get through these periods more easily.
The age of 4 is one of the periods that scares the parents and the changes in the child’s behavior are followed with surprise. Of course, the 4-year-old syndrome, which expresses the behavioral changes experienced in this period, may not occur in every child, just like the 2-year-old syndrome! In fact, if you do not encounter the symptoms of 4-year-old syndrome in your child, it can be said that you are quite lucky. This is the period when parents face very strong and harsh reactions; It is considered one of the most challenging child development periods, along with 2 years, 5 years, 6 years, 9 years and adolescence. Therefore, being prepared for the 4-year-old syndrome along with these periods and predicting the behavior of children in the 4-year-old period is of great importance for parents and makes things much easier.
What is 4 Year Syndrome?
“What is the 4-year-old syndrome?” The answer to the question is asked by many parents. The 4-year-old syndrome refers to the period in which 4-year-olds often exhibit different behaviors than usual and also adopt new attitudes. As with other syndromes, the 4-year-old syndrome does not occur in every child. There are many factors that affect the emergence of the syndrome. In addition to the age of the child, the family and the environment are also effective in the emergence of these syndromes. This period, which is also referred to as the 4-year-old crisis in some sources, plays a major role in shaping children’s personalities and perceptions of life. Accepting that this period is a healthy developmental stage is of great importance for the smooth progress of the process.
The 4-year-old syndrome marks a period that should be seen as a part of children’s developmental periods and a transitional stage in their way of becoming healthy individuals. Children are more stubborn and often say “No!” This period, which they tend to say, is also one of the periods when they are most open to learning. Children with a high sense of curiosity during this period do not hesitate to ask questions about everything and to wonder why. Parents of children with 4-year-old syndrome are often faced with questions they have never heard before, the answers to which are quite complex. The age of 4 is also known as a period in which children’s humor and imagination develop. During these periods, children tend to give answers or construct stories and events on subjects they do not know or perceive. At the same time, children who show more stubborn behavior than before, go against suggestions or ideas they normally accept. Constantly saying “No!” Children who are inclined to say and object can also show signs of 4-year-old syndrome in this period.
4 Age Syndrome Symptoms
The signs of 4-year-old syndrome often manifest themselves as certain distinctive behaviors and movements. Children at the age of 4, which can be defined as the age of “defying the authority”, can only show some behaviors that try to test their parents’ limits. For example, the child may deliberately spill a glass of water on the floor or give up on obeying the rules that he used to comply with. Children who adopt a more aggressive attitude may also be prone to physical violence.
Some of the common 4-year-old syndrome symptoms appear in the following ways:
- Saying no often
- Developing different interests,
- High imagination and intense humor
- constantly asking questions,
- Giving wrong answers to questions even though they do not know the answer,
- Wanting to do everything by himself and not accepting help,
- decreased appetite,
- 4-year-old syndrome crying crisis and tantrums,
- Making imaginary friends
- Lying or keeping secrets
- Talking or shouting loudly
- Asking questions about sexuality, etc.
The symptoms of 4-year-old syndrome usually appear similarly in boys and girls, but the increase in testosterone hormones in boys can cause higher feelings of anger and aggressive behavior. Children who have 4-year-old syndrome and show these symptoms need their parents to support and manage them with the right attitudes and behaviors. Adopting the right approach to children helps them unlock their potential to become healthy individuals. At this point, it is of great importance that parents have information about the methods of coping with the 4-year-old syndrome.
How to Overcome 4 Years Syndrome?
The question that parents are most curious about about the 4-year-old syndrome is mostly “How to get over the 4-year-old syndrome?” there is a question. It is possible to get through this process in a healthy way by being cautious against some situations that may arise during this period. In children where the syndrome manifests itself very intensely, it is absolutely necessary to get support from a specialist. First of all, it is important to determine the source of negative attitudes and behaviors, to know whether they originate from the family or the environment or whether they are a natural part of the child’s developmental period. In cases where the above examples are experienced but can be considered normal, the job falls to the parents. Here are the methods of coping with the 4-year-old syndrome and the right attitudes and behaviors for parents…
Methods of Coping with the 4-Year-Old Syndrome
- Making the child feel loved unconditionally!
Like all preschool children, children with this syndrome tend to test and measure their parents’ love. The behaviors they carry out with this aim often turn out to be a trap. These kids react even more fiercely than before when they think their parents didn’t pass the test. “I hate you!” It is of great importance to make children feel loved and to show the necessary attention, not only in these reactions, but always. But at these moments, parents’ reactions are also seen as a key point.
- To give the right and appropriate reaction to the development of the child!
“You’re talking like that right now because you’re angry, I’m your mom/dad and that will never change! This is your home and you can’t go anywhere, I love you so much.” With such a reaction, you can give the child a sense of belonging. With your response, “No matter what you do, my love does not change”, the child feels safe and therefore more comfortable and knows that the love of the parent for him is unconditional in any situation.
- Having routines that make kids feel comfortable!
It is known that having routines on certain topics relaxes children. Children need rules and order as much as they need fun and listening. Even children who are dissatisfied with these rules and don’t seem to want to follow them at all feel more comfortable with routines. Especially, children with 4-year-old syndrome have a clear idea of what to do thanks to the rules, and this puts them at ease. Having rules and routines, especially in areas such as sleep and playtime, is of great importance. In order to establish these routines, it is necessary to inform the child in advance. For example, telling the child to eat suddenly during playtime causes him to be surprised and unable to get used to the routine.
- Not to forget that uncertainties cause anxiety!
Children who feel that there is uncertainty are more inclined to be more active in events and to take matters into their own hands. It is very important to tell the child what will happen when going somewhere or starting an activity. For example, if you are going to the shopping mall, it is necessary to define the rules about buying toys from the beginning. It is very important to say that he has the right to only one or that he will not buy a toy, and to remind him periodically.