Parents often wonder if their child is showing typical behavior for a 4-5 year. The most pressing question that parents ask is when it is really time to seek professional help from a qualified mental health professional? This answer may seem confusing at times so the aim of this article is to help distinguish when it really is the time to seek help for your 4-5 year old.
Although it is very common for children in the age range to still tantrum and throw fits, it because worth it to talk to a mental professional is your 4-5 year old is constantly fitting. Most importantly if your child is fitting 5+ more times a day with the average tantrum lasting more than 15-20 minutes. There is a possibility if it is taking your child that long to settle down after a frustrating moment, something may be going on emotionally.
Mental Health
Secondly, if you child's default way of communicating with his/her family member is to kick, bite, punch, kick, destroy things or attack other, this is also an indicator of need to get outside help. Children in the age of 4-5 have more words at his/her disposal than a 2-3 year old, so becoming physically violent with others at this stage may mean it is time to seek help.
The 3rd indicator is the deliberate abuse towards a younger sibling and/or animal. I am not talking about playing to rough with a younger sibling, cat, or dog because the child is just unaware of how rough he/she is playing (then the child feels bad for hurting others and says "I'm sorry"). I am talking about the purposeful and deliberate attack on younger siblings and animals without showing any remorse.
In conclusion, if you happen to see the 3 above indicators, it may be time that there is something going on emotionally beneath the behaviors that need to be addressed. As a parent when you see these things going on over the course of a few months, it may be time to make an appointment to see a qualified mental health professional.
Do you want to learn exactly how to eliminate your child's out-of-control and defiant behavior without using Punishments, Time-Outs, Behavioral Plans, or Rewards?
Does My 4-5 Year Old Need to See a Mental Health Professional?
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