ABSTRACT
Many young children go through phases in which there is some spitting, biting, swearing, kicking or hitting. Biting and hitting often happens when young children feel that their space is being invaded or that someone is taking something that they wanted. Spitting and swearing are often forms of attention-seeking or ways of feeling like others. The general tension in the relationships increase, and children can begin to learn that the unpleasant and anti-social behaviours trigger a great reaction from their parents, and from other adults and children. Children who behave in antisocial ways are often not very popular with others. It can seem that they are just very naughty children. Children who know that adults care for them have better self-esteem and find self-control much easier. Some children are more challenging to parent than others. Some children are very active; others react in very intense ways to things.
