What Parents Should Know About Their Young Children

Understanding Young Minds

Have you found yourselves wondering what goes on in the mind of your little one as you both stare into each other’s eyes? As parents, we often find ourselves puzzled at the behavior of our young children.

One of my favorite saying is “children are an empty box, gifted to parents to fill up. The question is, what are you filling them up with? Good food…. Check, some sweet…. Check and maybe a little bitter…check!” LOL...

Children are constantly looking around them and learning at fast speed. You comb your hair and they do same to theirs or their dolls, you brush their teeth and they want to brush it themselves, you feed them and they want to force their little spoons into your mouth.

In my curiosity about early childhood, I would pen down what I note/observe about young children, I must say this is constantly changing and being updated and I bet you will have some additions to this list.

Here are my 10 points on what I understand about young children;

1. Early childhood is a critical period

Brain development is rapid—especially from birth to age 5, and these early experiences literally shape the brain’s architecture.

Feed it with positive interactions (talking, reading, playing) as they form a strong foundations for future learning and behavior. It not only strengthens bonds but provides insights into a child's feelings and thoughts.

2. Children also have a love language

Interestingly, it’s all five! This is why you may hear a child say “I love my mummy because she buys me toys” or “because she cooks for me” or “I love my daddy because he plays with me”. They are constantly drawn to people who appear available to them.

Secure attachment with caregivers provides emotional security. A consistent caregiver who is well engaged with the children is important.

Responsive parenting (comforting when they cry, being consistent) helps children trust the world and feel safe.

3. Behavior is communication

Effective communication with young children involves more than just verbal interaction.

But how do you communicate effectively with a child that doesn’t fully communicate? Young children don’t always have the words to express their needs, so parents should observe non-verbal cues: a child’s body language, facial expressions, and even their play can convey significant messages.

A toddler may throw a tantrum not because they’re rebellious, but because they’re overwhelmed and don’t know how to convey their frustration. I have learnt that when I visibly react to these actions, it’s as if I’m encouraging the behavior with my attention which the child keeps repeating to get it. However, when I calmly talk and reassure, the actions are not often repeated.

By understanding the basics of emotional development, parents can respond more effectively to their children's needs, fostering a nurturing environment.

4. Emotional development takes time

Young children are developing their emotional intelligence, which is crucial for their overall growth. At this stage, they’re learning to express their feelings, often through actions rather than words and they need help to regulate emotion and learn how to cope. Parents can help by naming emotions (“You’re feeling mad”) and modeling calm responses.

Discipline should guide, not punish and should be proportionate.

5. Consistency is comforting

As a sucker for routines, I find that it provides predictability to a child’s day and environment which helps reduce anxiety and makes transitions easier (e.g., bedtime, meals). The downside of routines though, is that children are not quite adaptable when routines break which shouldn’t be often.

6. Play is essential

It’s how kids explore, learn, and process their world. Free play supports creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. Run, dance, sing, explore with them when you can. These childhood memories are minted forever in their minds.

Limiting passive screen time with very young kids can be difficult if you’ve got things to do around the house, but finding interactive things and encouraging independent play can be beneficial.

7. Language development varies

Every child develops at their own pace, so patience is key! There’s really not much you can do. However, seek guidance if there are big delays in speech or social interaction.

Encourage communication from early on by talking, singing, reading, and responding to their attempts to communicate—even before they can speak.

8. Nutrition and sleep matter more than you think

My last post delved into nutritional needs for young children, good sleep and balanced nutrition fuel behavior, mood, and brain growth.

Young children often need more sleep than parents expect (10–14 hours/day depending on age).

9. Modeling teaches more than lectures

Ohhh this one…I find my children reprimanding me with my or their dad’s exact words, sometimes even trying to sound and act like we would in a situation. It’s really funny to see… Children are imitators, as simple as that!

How you manage stress, treat others, or resolve conflict teaches them life lessons.

10. It’s okay to not be perfect

What matters most is being “good enough”—consistent, loving, and willing to repair when things go wrong. Children are resilient when they feel loved and understood.

By embracing patience, empathy, and active engagement, parents enhance their ability to understand their young children better, leading to healthier and more joyful family dynamics. It's not just about managing behaviors but fostering an environment of understanding and love, essential for guiding children as they navigate their early years.

Want to share yours, send to contact@janematta.com and we’ll have it published.