4 Causes Of Nervousness In Children – Being Parents

It is quite normal for young children to have seizures from time to time. Finding their limits is necessary for their development, even if it can be difficult for them to accept. The causes of nervousness in children can be various.

On some occasions, what looks like a challenge to parental authority is actually something else. Finding the reason for the anger is important in helping our children grow up healthy.

Crying, anger, and even some more daring attitudes like hitting, biting, spitting or cursing meet the expectations of childhood anger.

However, in addition to knowing the possible causes, it is good to pay attention to other behavioral cues in  order to spot situations that may need more attention.

Typical causes of nervousness in children

1. Difficulty detecting and expressing feelings

It can be difficult for an adult to express their feelings in meaningful words, so it is quite normal for this to happen in children as well. On the other hand, little ones expect adults to understand this.

When they are used to having their needs met by their parents or guardians, children conclude that adults can also help them deal with their sadness or boredom. If children feel their parents or guardians are distracted, busy, or do not understand them, they will get angry.

The good news is that today there are plenty of resources to help little ones express their feelings. There is a varied list of children’s stories in which the different characters find themselves in situations of anger, joy, sadness, etc.

1. Lack of attention

Children need to be listened to. Some adults seem to believe that childhood is an insignificant stage in life. As if being a child doesn’t come with its own set of specific challenges, needs and wants.

Children need to feel loved, and it is when they receive attention that they feel the affection that is given to them. The fact of playing  with their parents or guardians is fundamental for the little ones, feeling accompanied in the face of their fears, their pains and feelings of insecurity is vital for their development.

If this need is not met, it is one of the most common causes of nervousness in children. If kids aren’t getting attention just for being there, they’ll look for other ways to get it.

1. Frustration

Another cause of nervousness in children is frustration at something that causes them anxiety or disappointment. This is linked to the formation of the ego and to the evolutionary stages specific to the human being.

From two years old and up to six or seven years old, children can be egocentric and want everything for them: to win at the games, to be the center of attention, to be the first, etc. However, we must kindly teach them how to live with others and respect their needs.

This learning process is more difficult for some children, especially if they do not receive the necessary attention or if it is too difficult for them to express their feelings. All the causes of anger are interrelated, and they all deserve a family dialogue to help the child learn to deal with his own frustrations.

1. Simple fatigue

Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of nervousness, especially in younger children. A healthy routine, which respects the hours of sleep that each age group needs, is essential for a good quality of life.

Faced with this lack of sleep, the child’s ability to cope with frustration, lack of attention and difficulty expressing their feelings will be even more limited.

It is not just the body that needs to recover energy with rest, children’s brains need a certain number of hours of rest in order to be able to function, learn and develop fully.

Causes of nervousness in children that deserve more attention

As they grow older, children learn to deal with their anger more effectively. It can also happen that their anger becomes more intense over time. Here is a list of cases in which it is good to investigate, discuss and perhaps seek professional help for the little ones.

• Aggressive behavior at risk for the physical integrity of the child or that of others.
• Difficulty integrating into school or social environments.
• Inability to play or be entertained with their peers.
• Anger “exaggerated” in relation to age.

• Permanent challenge to parental authority.

In these cases, what the children are expressing is a symptom of suffering that they cannot handle. This is not necessarily a sign of trouble or a need for mediation. Improving understanding, listening and support is the responsibility of parents.