(ThyBlackMan.com) Understanding your child is one of the most important things that you can learn as a parent. It will help develop an effective way of guiding and nurturing your child as they grow older and mature. You must also be mindful that each child has a different way of digesting information, as well as displaying information.
One way that you can actively start to understand your child is by observing them as they play, eat, sleep, etc. No matter what they are doing there will be some level of consistency in the way that they do it. What activities do they enjoy the most? Do they easily adjust to change or do they require additional time to become familiar with something new? Identifying these things will allow us to become 
proactive when it comes to meeting your child’s needs. For instance if you know that your child likes their sandwich cut in half during lunch, you will save yourself a lot of time and effort if you cut it before giving it to them. Not only will you have alleviated a potential whining session but you will have also saved yourself time and frustration.
Make time to talk to your child as often as you can. This is crucial to not only gaining information but also understanding them. In the case of young children, they use less verbal language and more facial expression and body language in order to relay their thoughts and feelings. Asking them questions will allow them to share their feelings with you and develop their ability to use word as a way of expression.
For example, rather than asking them what they did in school, ask them what they built with their blocks today. Asking very specific questions will reveal to you their thought process by way of the words they choose to explain what they built. Instead of asking them if they played with their playmate, focus on the game they played.
Another way of understanding your child is by taking a look at their environment in order to learn about a certain behavior that you have observed. Relatives, child care providers, friends, teachers, the community, the home setting, and other aspects of the environment play a crucial role in the behavior of your child. For example, if your child is showing aggressiveness towards other children at school, you may want to find out all the possible sources of their aggressive behavior. Taking a look at each environment will allow you to pinpoint where this learned behavior is coming from and stopping it at the source.
Sometimes you’ll realize that you are the source, which will allow you to self correct to help your child learn to do the same. Another possible source can be their association with another child who is showing aggressive tendencies, once you find out about the child you can make the decision to speak with their parent to work to correct the behavior or keep your child from around that particular child.
Your environment at home is another possible source for altered behavior. Have there been any conflicts and arguments at home lately that took place in the presence of your child? How about in the community? These are some potential sources to consider when trying to find the reason behind your child’s aggressive or altered behavior.
You can also learn about your child by observing other children in their age group. You can read books, browse the Internet, or attend a class about child development. Always remember that you went through the same stages as a child as well, so don’t think that it’s personal, you can draw from your experiences as well to come up with a solution.
Also consider evaluating your child’s level and speed of development. Understanding your child’s speed and level of development, will allow you to create activities and find toys that can increase their development preparing them for the next phase of their growth. At the same time, you as a parent would be able to set expectations and limits that are acceptable to your child.
Being a responsible parent is hard especially in this day and age when parents spend more time working rather than being with their children. Quality time is difficult to achieve when you are trying to juggle your time between corporate life and parenthood. Not many people achieve success in parenthood and this could be frustrating on your part. Understanding your child is one effective way of becoming successful in the art of parenting. Once you understand them you’ll be able to parent more effectively and manage your time successfully.
Staff Writer; Sister Victoria X
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