Children enter new stages of development about every six months. As an observant adult, you may notice them trying out new behaviors; some of which may be very positive, while others may not be so desirable. You may see your child testing boundaries and rules.

These changes are all part of normal development.

As children grow, and see and hear new things, they experiment to figure out what is right and wrong and what works and doesn’t work in getting what they want. It is important not to panic, but to recognize that, through this experimentation, the children are developing independence and building confidence, while also ascertaining that there are still limits.

It is our responsibility as parents, guardians and educators to be diligent in providing consistent expectations, limits and logical consequences that provide the security and safety that come with them.

This is how we can help all of our students and children become the best that they can be, and develop into happy, confident and successful students and people.