Situation 1 – Rahul was surfing the internet and his son Aryan wanted to talk to his father so he went near his father and said “papa” Aryan waited for his daddy to look at him but the daddy was busy surfing the internet and Aryan went back to play alone with a bad mood because his daddy ignored him.
Situation 2 – Aarna’s mother Priya was cooking food in the kitchen. Aarna made a beautiful drawing and she went to her Mumma and said “Mumma see I made this” but as Priya was busy she didn’t even look at Aarna’s drawing and by stirring her handmade dish she said I’ll see it later. Aarna felt saddened by Priya’s behavior and she went back with her drawing.
Situation 3 – Mrunali’s son Kabeer went to his friend Advet’s birthday party. Kabeer was enjoying the party with other kids and then the Bday boy’s father said “Hi! Kabeer ” but Kabeer ignored the greetings given by B’Day boy’s father and seemed busy playing with other kids.
Situation 4 – Aarush is watching rhymes on the mobile. His mom told him to turn off the screen but Aarush is not listening and ignoring his mom Situation 5. Atharva’s mom is saying dinner is ready, come on everyone let’s have dinner. Atharva’s father didn’t respond to his mom and Atharva also learned this negative behavior from his father and he also ignored his mother. In situations no. 1 and 2, the parents are not acknowledging their child. Situation no. 3, 4, 5 The child is applying the learned behavior of ignorance and that’s why the child is not responding to what’s being said to him.
All the above situations depict the drawbacks of not acknowledging your child What happens when you don’t acknowledge your child?
- The child will learn ignorance as acceptable behavior – If you’ll repeatedly ignore a child then he will learn this as a normal behavior
- The child will get frustrated and it will lead to aggression – Constant ignorance causes frustration in children which ultimately leads to aggression in children
- The child will not start communicating – The child will lose interest in interaction and he will stop communicating
- The child will never acknowledge parents and others – The child will learn this behavior and he will stop acknowledging parents and others
Why is it important to acknowledge your child?
It reduces the ignorance level – Acknowledgement makes a child feel good and they develop a habit of responding to parents and others.
Reduces irritation – If a child is being heard by his parents then he will feel happy and positive and it automatically reduces irritation.
Reduces aggression – The child enjoys being heard by his parents so he will feel happy while receiving a response from your end and it will reduce aggression
Improves questioning in children – The child will feel encouraged because of your response and he will start asking questions to you.
How to acknowledge your child?
Politely reply to your child whenever he/she asks questions, respond to your child whenever he/she calls you or comes near youIf your child is asking you to do something and you are able to do it then please do it immediately If your child is demanding something that you can’t give him at that time then work on the waiting time but do respond to make sure to make eye contact during a conversation with your child. Now, you are aware of the importance of acknowledging your child. So do try to always respond to your child because acknowledgment fuels response to name, questioning, and positive emotions in children so please give them a reply no matter how busy you are.
Happy parenting!
Rhuta Bhide