Stage-related behavioural problems in the 1-4 year old child: Parental expectations in a child development unit referral group compared with a control group

Abstract Behavioural problems in preschool (1-4 years) children are a common cause of referral to health services. Parents of children presenting to the child development unit with behavioural problems ( n = 18) were compared with a control group ( n = 45). A questionnaire was utilized to examine the parents'expectations of the children's behaviours.
As might be expected, the parents of children presenting to the Unit rated their children as having more difficult behaviours. These parents had unrealistic expectations, particularly for the 'negative'behaviours (disobedience, temper tantrums, defiance and whinging). However, they were able to anticipate normal age-related difficulties in some problem areas (dawdling during mealtimes, masturbating, not sharing toys and being jealous of one's siblings).
Counselling should address the issue of matching the expectations of parents with the individual rates of development of their children.