Behavior

Behavior Problems

A toddler standing by herself, pouting with her arms crossed
How to handle your young child's defiant behavior
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
A child biting a teddy bear
Why toddlers and kids bite
Reviewed by Dawn Rosenberg, M.D., pediatrician
girl with curly hair, standing outside with a plain look on her face
Defiance: Why it happens and what to do about it (ages 6 to 8)
Reviewed by Roni Cohen Leiderman, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
woman holding a baby who is pulling her hair
Hair pulling: How to nip it in the bud
Reviewed by Paul Young, M.D., pediatrician
child biting a nail on his thumb
Nail-biting: Why it happens and what to do about it
By Nancy Montgomery
close up photo of a young girl
Why do kids lie?
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
boy with a funny mask
Nose picking: Whether it's bad and how to stop it
Reviewed by Dawn Rosenberg, M.D., pediatrician
young girl picking her nose
Nose picking: How to nip it in the bud
By Beth Haiken, Ph.D.
sweaty head boy looking sad
Whining: Why it happens and what to do about it (ages 6 to 8)
Reviewed by Kathrin Sidell, M.D., Ph.D., pediatrician
child holding pencils
Lying: Why it happens and what to do about it (ages 3 to 4)
child stealing candy from a bowl
Lying: Why it happens and what to do about it (age 5)
How can I stop my 2-year-old from putting everything in her mouth?
By Judith Hudson, Ph.D.
kid yelling
Swearing and potty talk: How to nip them in the bud (age 5)
Ignoring: Why it happens and what to do about it (ages 3 to 4)
By Karen Miles
Should I worry if my 2-year-old can't sit still?
By Kristi Alexander, Ph.D.
mother lecturing her daughter in the kitchen
Talking back: Why it happens and what to do about it (ages 3 to 4)
Reviewed by Jennifer Shu, M.D., FAAP, pediatrician
angry looking child
Swearing and potty talk: How to nip them in the bud (ages 3 to 4)
angry dad looking at his smiling daughter
Swearing and potty talk: How to nip them in the bud
Two walkie talkies, one with tape covering the speaker
How to stop the backtalk
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
child covering his eyes with hands
Ignoring: Why it happens and what to do about it
By Karen Miles
two sisters holding their heads next to each other
Sibling rivalry: Why it happens and what to do about it
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
girl wearing hoodie, sitting outside with her hand on a cheek
Ignoring: Why it happens and what to do about it (ages 6 to 8)
By Karen Miles
How can I stop my preschooler from putting everything in his mouth?
By Judith Hudson, Ph.D.
child with curly hair
Defiance: Why it happens and what to do about it
Reviewed by Jennifer Shu, M.D., FAAP, pediatrician
child on a grass field
Tattling: How to nip it in the bud
By Nancy Montgomery
child wiping her tears
My child's teacher says he cries a lot over minor things at school. What can I do?
By Alison Ehara-Brown, LCSW
What should I do when my 2-year-old refuses to get dressed in the morning?
By Patricia Henderson Shimm, M.A.
My child is pulling out her own hair. What should I do?
By Ruth Golomb, LCPC
Is it normal that my preschooler wants only things of a certain color, like red foods, red clothes, and red crayons?
By Nancy Montgomery
crying child
Is there such a thing as "the terrible threes"?
By Susanne Ayers Denham, Ph.D.
boy sitting on a bench and looking down to the ground
Teasing: How to nip it in the bud (ages 6 to 8)
By Karen Miles
boy making a fighting pose
Anger and aggressive behavior in children
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
girl sitting in a chair with her chin on the hand rest
Ignoring: Why it happens and what to do about it (age 5)
By Karen Miles
How can I get my 2-year-old to stop hitting me?
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
My child bites. Should I bite him back?
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
girl holding fists on her head, looking angry
What to do at home if your child is having behavior problems at school
By Ann Bartz
My 2-year-old drops to the floor whenever I interrupt his activity. How should I handle this?
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
Is it normal that my child is obsessed with makeup?
By Darienne Hosley Stewart
My 2-year-old insists on eating her meals on my lap. What should I do?
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
toddler picking her nose
Nose picking: Why it happens and what to do about it
By Beth Haiken, Ph.D.
children sitting in a classroom looking at teacher
My child won't sit still at circle time. What should I do?
By Patty Wipfler
Is it normal that my preschooler pretends that everything is a gun?
By Marcella Gates
boy with tiger face paint
Resistance: What to do about the endless no's (age 2)
Reviewed by Paul Young, M.D., pediatrician
boy blowing bubbles on another boy
Should I discipline a child who's bullying mine? (age 5)
By Marilyn Segal, Ph.D.
child yelling
Interrupting: Why it happens and what to do about it (age 5)
By Beth Haiken, Ph.D.
little boy with his mouth wide open yelling
What to do about burping, farting, and nose-picking
By Joyce Slaton
mother putting shoes on crying child
What should I do when my preschooler refuses to get dressed in the morning?
By Patricia Henderson Shimm, M.A.
little girl crying
Whining: Why it happens and what to do about it
Reviewed by Kathrin Sidell, M.D., Ph.D., pediatrician
How can I stop my 2-year-old from ripping her books?
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
Is it normal for my preschooler to call me by my first name?
By Nancy Montgomery
child laying on the floor on his stomach, holding his head with both hands
What to do at school if your child is having behavior problems
By Ann Bartz
Is it normal that my preschooler is suddenly afraid of one of his stuffed animals?
By Marcella Gates
children in a pool
How do I teach my kindergartner to stop one-upping other kids?
By Marvin Berkowitz, Ph.D.
Is it normal that my child holds her breath to the point of passing out?
By Darienne Hosley Stewart
child with an angry face
How should I respond when my child says "I hate you"? (ages 5 to 8)
By Becky Bailey, Ph.D.
teacher making children sing
My child won't sing in a group. What should I do?
By Patty Wipfler
boy looking at toy soldiers
Is it normal for my big kid to have rituals?
By Marcella Gates
boy wearing a hoodie and glasses, looking sad
When and how to have your child evaluated for ADHD (K to 3)
How do I stop my 2-year-old from throwing things?
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
child playfully smiling
Why is our preschooler so defiant, and how can we get him to listen?
By Susanne Ayers Denham, Ph.D.
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Discipline Strategies

child with hands above his head lying on park bench
What to do when time-outs don't work (ages 3 to 4)
Reviewed by Lisa Dana, M.D.
child peeping out
Time-outs: How to make them work (ages 3 and 4)
Reviewed by Paul Young, M.D., pediatrician
boy looking angry
Moving beyond threats (ages 2 to 4)
Reviewed by Lisa Dana, M.D.
mom holding daughter in her lap, on the ground
7 ways to avoid spoiling your kids
By Melanie Haiken
mother talking to her child
Spanking, grounding, and yelling: Does old-fashioned discipline work?
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
kid with blanket over his head standing and holding hands on his chin
Time-outs: How to make them work (age 2)
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
kid wearing a hat making a grimace
The discipline tool kit: Successful strategies for every age
By Melanie Haiken
girl frowning and wrapping her arms around herself
10 ways to get in sync with your partner on discipline
By Sarah Henry
A dad talking with his son
7 tricks to staying consistent on discipline
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
mother trying to explain something to her stubborn child
Moving beyond threats (ages 5 to 8)
Reviewed by Lisa Dana, M.D.
child laying on the floor on his stomach and yawning
Time-outs: How to make them work (age 5)
By Karen Miles
A hand holding a small, pink trophy
Why positive reinforcement works for kids
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
small girl sticking her tongue out
What's your discipline style?
By Evonne Lack Bradford
adult fingers pointing at confused young girl
Alternatives to threats (ages 2 to 4)
irritated boy
What can I do about my 2-year-old's public tantrums?
By Judith Hudson, Ph.D.
shirtless child pushing a button
Your top 10 discipline dilemmas – solved
Reviewed by KT Park, M.D., gastroenterologist
dissatisfied girl with hands on her cheeks
Alternatives to "No!" (ages 2 to 4)
Reviewed by Lisa Dana, M.D.
upset girl sitting and thinking
Alternatives to "No!" (ages 5 to 8)
Reviewed by Lisa Dana, M.D.
broken eggshells
What is eggshell parenting? Experts explain the latest viral parenting style
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
child lost in thoughts
I try to discipline my grade-schooler, but he doesn't seem to care. What should I do?
By Jerry Wyckoff, Ph.D.
woman talking
go to video page
Discipline: What we do
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Latest in behavior

Two walkie talkies, one with tape covering the speaker
How to stop the backtalk
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
A hand holding a small, pink trophy
Why positive reinforcement works for kids
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
two sisters holding their heads next to each other
Sibling rivalry: Why it happens and what to do about it
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
broken eggshells
What is eggshell parenting? Experts explain the latest viral parenting style
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
close up photo of a young girl
Why do kids lie?
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
A child biting a teddy bear
Why toddlers and kids bite
Reviewed by Dawn Rosenberg, M.D., pediatrician
boy with a funny mask
Nose picking: Whether it's bad and how to stop it
Reviewed by Dawn Rosenberg, M.D., pediatrician
boy making a fighting pose
Anger and aggressive behavior in children
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist

Community

  • August 2023 Birth Club
    Behavior resources
    By MamaDoubleS
    Any good books or podcasts regarding teaching toddler disciple / behavior ? Thanks !
    03-14-25 by Andersinn
    Number of comments1
    no reactions
    0
  • April 2020 Birth Club
    Behavior troubles
    By HM0227
    Mamas, My three year old has really been struggling lately. His behavior has been very challenging. Every transition is a struggle. And everything leads to a tantrum. It’s very upsetting to me. Is this normal behavior for a 3 year old or should I be contacting the pediatrician?
    09-05-23 by HM0227
    Number of comments5
    no reactions
    0
  • November 2023 Birth Club
    Sibling behavior
    By KingXmommy
    My five year old just got a brother and his behavior has been a roller coaster from good, bad, worst. Any advice
    01-21-24 by KingXmommy
    Number of comments3
    no reactions
    0
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