At what age can you call a child "naughty?

1. 68

   Sue Adamsposted 12 years ago

   At what age can you call a child "naughty?
   
   A baby is incapable of being bad, naughty or evil.  At what age is it OK to call an innocent child  "naughty"? Do parents make their children naughty by giving them such a negative label?
   
   

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2. 93

   celeste inscribedposted 12 years ago

   I resist calling a child naughty at any age, because I think a child is molded into who he is by the society around him. As adults we teach by example and so perhaps we should call irresponsible adults naughty. Any negative word is going to tell a child that he is bad, so I try to use a different approach, but it isn't always easy I'll admit.

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3. 80

   Elderberry Artsposted 12 years ago

   From a psychological perspective calling a child naughty creates a risk of labelling them and having negative effects such as low self esteem, poor self image and self worth. Children will become what they are told they are. Label the behaviour as 'naughty', 'bad' 'unacceptable' etc if you want too but never the child. Always explain why so this is so that the child knows how to behave in future and what is expected of them as otherwise they are more likely to continue with the behaviour.
   
   I see a lot of parents who tell their children off but do not teach them what is appropriate and right, so how can they expect the situation to change? Children also learn a lot from what they see so setting a good example matters.

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   1. 60

      Lor's Storiesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I was always told I was bad. Well at school any way. It did leave a stigma with me. But that was 40 years ago,

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4. 0

   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   There so many other ways of disciplining your child rather than calling them names or labeling them. I would avoid this habit completely.

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5. 0

   savvydatingposted 12 years ago

   At no time is it acceptable to use negative labels on our children. I don't know that parents make their children naughty, but these labels certainly instill a negative self-image within the child's mind, which may cause him either to "act out" or suffer in silence, depending upon the disposition of the boy or girl. Using words like bad and naughty is a negative way to "discipline" children. It is better to say, "Your behavior is unacceptable, and this is why..." Otherwise parents are merely instilling shame in their offspring. That's called bullying, and that's unacceptable.
   I've seen parents do this in public. Frankly; it breaks my heart.

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      Lor's Storiesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well when we were growing up my dad used to say our behavior was bad. I don't buy not using. Label. How else will a child learn. But no I wouldn't put a big N on them for doing something wrong.

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   2. 0

      savvydatingposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Lor's Stories,  Discipline is important and needed. It sounds like your dad's approach was fine as he seemed to be describing your behavior, rather than labeling you. My approach was to use the phrase "...unacceptable behavior because." It worked.

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6. 60

   Lor's Storiesposted 12 years ago

   I've seen my share of " naughty kids" I mean really bad kids.
   By four they begin to show their naughty side. It may be the parents too. But when I taught Pre-K there was this one kid who looked right at me and said " I'd like to poison you right now" then she kind of cackled. It was freaky.
   There's always one you have to keep your eye on.
   I watch kids in our family and I know who is naughty because they know you are watching them. And they do the naughty thing any way but then they say they are sorry.
   But the one who throws a punch at another kid. They have a problem.
   Naughty kids just test you. Usually around 4.
   I've seen my nephew squeeze his little sisters arm but then he looks at us and says he' s sorry. He should be sorry because one day his little sister is going to be naughty right back.
   Being naughty is part of child development. It's a way of testing the waters. To see how far they can push you.
   We were all naughty. I used to pull my sisters hair. But I never bit anyone.
   It was more of claiming your territory; especially when you are the youngest.
   I was about four when I started being naughty. But at least I never poisoned anyone.
   It's normal to be naughty. They grow out of it unless their family has deep pathological issues.

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