Depending on the developmental period of children, some changes may occur in their attitudes and behaviors. These changes are called syndromes because they occur in the same periods and with the same symptoms in all children. Parenting, one of the most wonderful experiences one can have in one’s life, can become complicated and challenging with these syndromes. However, this process can be facilitated with the right and effective approaches.
Children who are experiencing periods called syndromes can exhibit different attitudes and behaviors due to the physical, emotional and psychological processes they are in. They can start the day in a flash, with new and surprising behaviors. The 3-year-old syndrome is also considered as one of the periods in which these astonishing developments are experienced. Although these processes, which continue in the form of newborns, 3 – 6 – 9 months developmental stage, 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 9 age syndromes, pre-adolescence and adolescence periods, frighten parents, it is necessary to know that these processes are natural. It should not be forgotten that if sensitivity is shown, it can be overcome without any problems.
At the age of three, the points that parents should pay attention to are increasing in order to understand correctly what the child wants to say. For parents who want to learn the details of raising children and getting through these syndrome periods in a healthy way, “What is the three-year-old syndrome, when does it start, what are the symptoms, how can it be overcome?” We address the answers to your questions in this content. Here are the details…
What is Three-Year-Old Syndrome?
“What is the three-year-old syndrome?” The answer to the question is asked by parents who have children in this period. The period called 3-year-old syndrome refers to the time period in which three-year-old children show new behaviors and attitudes.
The three-year-old syndrome begins when the child, who can now speak and learns to meet his/her needs, realizes that he is an individual. The child, who has increased self-confidence and becomes more social, wants to communicate more with his family and to determine the form of this communication himself.
This period, when toilet training is completed, speech is learned, and personal needs such as eating, dressing, brushing teeth can be met by the child himself, is also one of the most important stages of personality and mental development.
When Does Three-Year-Old Syndrome Start?
The three-year-old syndrome, which does not have a definite start and end date, appears around the age of three on average. However, it should not be forgotten that every child who reaches the age of three does not necessarily have to show the symptoms of this period syndrome.
Three Age Syndrome Symptoms
The main symptoms of the three-year-old syndrome are:
- Making his own decisions and wanting to act freely,
- He wants to do many things himself, such as eating, dressing, needing the toilet, because he has gained brand new abilities,
- Improvements in waiting skills,
- Crying fits and tantrums
- Prefer to play with younger or older people instead of their peers,
- Conflicts about nutrition
- Developing the ability to share toys and belongings,
- Despite wanting to be independent, being overly attached to the parent, especially the mother,
- Changes in sleep patterns, tendency to leave the afternoon nap,
- Don’t be too curious, to be able to generate questions about every subject frequently.
- Developmentally some fears (dark, loud noises, masks, animals)
Due to developmental differences, it is not possible to say that all children will experience this syndrome and its symptoms in the same way. However, while the changes observed in the behavior of some children due to the three-year-old syndrome are very sharp and long-lasting, some children may experience this process more slowly.
How to Overcome Three-Year-Old Syndrome?
This process, which is one of the turning points for the child and the family, comes to the minds of families, “How to overcome the three-year-old syndrome?” brings the question. Three-year-old children actually get involved in life in a way, leaving the period when they are called babies. They learn to handle big issues like toilet training, using cutlery, taking off their clothes and getting dressed alone. The child, who feels himself in the safest part of the world while breastfeeding his mother, finds himself in a completely different world with the end of this process and the effect of his periodic feelings. This process, which is challenging for both parties, can only be tolerated with effective parental attitudes.
Although she wants to live as a separate individual, hugging a three-year-old boy who still needs love and affection helps him calm down and get over his anger.
Talking to the child, making him feel respected, prevents the child from feeling lonely and empty during this sensitive period. One of the most effective ways to overcome this process is not to communicate in the same way with the child who has stubborn, irritable and angry behaviors, and to be able to maintain patience despite everything.
Three-year-old children, who want to play constantly and are called “game children”, may display a more aggressive attitude when they are not understood. By spending quality time with their offspring, parents can alleviate the symptoms of three-year-old syndrome with games. Families who need their children and provide a fun environment of trust can gain benefits from this challenging period.
Observing the behaviors of the child, who is thought to have three-year-old syndrome, and determining in which situations he exhibits them can provide the arrangement of the environment that reveals that behavior. In this period when the child is very curious, giving the right answers to the questions patiently and without glossing helps to gain the child’s trust and control himself.
Ways to Cope with Three-Year-Old Syndrome
- Creating an atmosphere of love and trust:
Like every child, three year olds want to feel loved and to know that they are safe. Providing him with an environment where he will be comfortable and maintaining communication with him maintains its importance in this period as well. Hugging him when he needs it, listening to him when he wants to tell, helps him express himself better and reinforces his self-confidence. Being able to patiently answer the questions he puts in a row as if he wants to learn everything, although it is challenging at the moment, comes across as a parental attitude that will bear fruit later on.
- Being consistent and clear:
The three-year-old, who is aware of the fact that he can convince the other person sometimes with his cute ways and sometimes with his insistent attitudes, knows how his parents will react to him and makes demands accordingly. She struggles to somehow grant her an initially denied request. At this stage, the parents should be determined in their positive or negative reactions and should not give up by softening. In addition, a parent saying “yes” to the other saying “no” can be abused by the child. In order for permanent and healthy learning to take place, parents must not contradict themselves and each other, and must be determined and consistent in their attitudes and behaviors. In this period, when children learn to establish interpersonal communication, it is necessary to exhibit consistent behaviors and be clear.
- Being honest:
Curiosity is the most developed emotion in children of this period! With the effect of this development, examining and questioning takes the place of playing with toys. The little ones, who want to learn everything and constantly, keep the answers given to them for future use, just like a recorder. As such, giving correct and understandable answers to their questions enables the child to use his mind properly and increases his confidence in you.
- Setting limits:
Although children of this period want to be free, they also want to know that there are limits. It is necessary to know how to say “no” to children, who may tend to react negatively to continue a behavior they like forever or to be stubborn about something they actually love. This parental attitude is one of the most effective ways to prevent the discipline and order problems that children will experience in the future. Knowing what to do when, knowing how much, and having routines also prepare the environment for the child to feel comfortable.
- Allowing and encouraging:
Allowing and helping the child, who always wants to try new things during this period, to satisfy his curiosity contributes to the development of his self-confidence. Sharing his happiness when he finishes by giving tasks such as helping with housework and tidying his room is also helpful in terms of developing a sense of responsibility. While it is important to reinforce the behaviors that are found to be right, it is necessary not to exaggerate the reward and punishment.
- Directing to Creative Activities:
Offering remarkable activities to the extremely active and curious three-year-old helps him learn more by channeling his energy for good. At this stage, it is important for parents to learn pre-school art activities and practice them together with the child. Reading books that she will love, allowing her to explore nature and spend time with her friends makes her socialize as much as possible. During this period, it is useful not to overwhelm the little ones who are not as interested in toys as they used to be.