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Normal Child.
As child psychiatrist i am often asked "what is a normal child? How do we know that our child is okay?"
This remains one of the most difficult , almost impossible question to answer.
Normal Child.
As child psychiatrist i am often asked "what is a normal child? How do we know that our child is okay?"
This remains one of the most difficult , almost impossible question to answer.
Difficult and almost impossible because we don't know what is normal.
Yes. That is the truth.
We know disease, we know disorder/disability/diagnosis, etc. But we don't know normal.
Yes. That is the truth.
We know disease, we know disorder/disability/diagnosis, etc. But we don't know normal.
What we know -
Range of normality is really wide. Younger the child, wider the range of behaviour that is normal.
As we grow older, this range narrows.
Range of normality is really wide. Younger the child, wider the range of behaviour that is normal.
As we grow older, this range narrows.
Hence (at the risk of offending g some) older individuals have less variation in their behaviour, especially if they haven't cultivated hobbies, interests,etc.
It may have something to do with neuronal reserve, plasticity, etc. But thats another discussion.
Back to kids.
It may have something to do with neuronal reserve, plasticity, etc. But thats another discussion.
Back to kids.
There are a few things that assure us that a child is doing alright.(broad general indicators)
1. Regular attendance at school. No repeated avoidance
2. Regular day night cycle and a regularity in habits and activities.
3. Finishing schoolwork on time without huge stress.
1. Regular attendance at school. No repeated avoidance
2. Regular day night cycle and a regularity in habits and activities.
3. Finishing schoolwork on time without huge stress.
4. Friends - having atleast a few friends is one of the best things about childhood.
5. Ability to negotiate school, family and playground with reasonable ease.
6. Ability to move on from negative experiences including interpersonal ones.
5. Ability to negotiate school, family and playground with reasonable ease.
6. Ability to move on from negative experiences including interpersonal ones.
7. A hobby/fascination/interest - this can keep changing and may not be to your area of liking but it is still a positive character.
8. Ability to have fun when opportunity presents or create that opportunity for oneself.
8. Ability to have fun when opportunity presents or create that opportunity for oneself.
9. Reasonable comfort with basic skills of academics - reading, writing, basic math, comprehension
10. That's all.
10. That's all.
If child is doing alright on these fronts, you should relax. Sudden, dramatic or severe change of pattern should alert you especially socialization and persistent emotional patterns.
If your child is okay on these 9 fronts, you should give yourself and your child, a hug :)
If your child is okay on these 9 fronts, you should give yourself and your child, a hug :)
There are many temperamental differences in children about their energy, friendships, anxiety patterns, interests and socialization.
Parents almost always know "temperament" of their child right from first year of life.
Parents almost always know "temperament" of their child right from first year of life.
Have fun and great week ahead.
Opinions always welcome.
Opinions always welcome.
