Terrible Two's or Pint-Sized Bully? A Comparison of Toddlers and School Kids

no child was injured in the taking of this picture

What does a group of toddlers have in common with a group of middle schoolers?  Surprisingly, a lot!

Both age groups:

• have awkward friend interactions
• are growing in social skills
• lack impulse control
• have bullies

Did I really say that?  Bullies?  Toddlers?

Yes.

If we don't let the cuteness factor of these tiny humans cloud our judgement, we can turn these tiny terrors around before they get to middle school (or any school).

I recently had the chance to work with a group of toddlers.  I noticed that one, who happened to be the oldest in the group, was not quite behaving as he should.  Each time a child would take out a toy, this little boy would stop what he was doing and rip the toy out of the other child's hand.

I used redirection and reminders.... until....

He. Spat. On. My. Child.

Oh no he didn't!  Mamma Bear was on the loose!

Taking a page from Dr. Phil, I made sure his little world stopped.  He was put in the time out chair so fast. From that point on, EVERY infraction was met with VERY swift recourse.  Every positive was met with quick praise.

No, he didn't stop being a bully that night.  He still is terrorizing other little ones.  He did show me that bullies start young.  He taught me that we need to work hard when our children are young to help them grow into kind and responsible adults.  These early years are the most crucial in character development.

None of our kids are perfect.  They will all make mistakes.  That's how they learn.  How we help them learn from their mistakes will shape their character.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

It's a big job.

I pray I'm up for the challenge.  Are you?