When the child Wear Buffoon’s Hat
Buffoon in the title may be inappropriate for this blog-post that intents to promote children’s well-being. However, it stands there only for a character visualization – Attention seeker.
Attention Seeker
A buffoon spares no effort to catch the attention of the audience. Even sacrifice personal dignity for cheers, and least bothered about the audience mockery.
Some children wear the same hat as a buffoon. Because they too seek the attention of friends and teachers. The only difference is intention. For them, it’s a cover for weaknesses that they think of making them undesirable.
Odd reactions
Children react to problems furtively. Hence, it’s hard to understand the real issue from their behavior. How many parents can guess undone homework or classroom fist-fight is the reason behind the ‘stomachache’ next day morning?
Parents often have a hard time when dealt with ‘attention seekers’ as it could be psychological fallout from a longstanding issue. Or it could be aftereffects of a body change a year ago. Whose involvement effective here? Only the parents and teachers.
Tips for dealing with attention grabbers
- Keep track of changes in their behavior: It’s as difficult as singling out a wave in the ocean. If your child suddenly became a fun-lover or classroom-disturber or a bully, then there’s something fishy.
- Understand the actual problems: Like every wave in the ocean has a cause, children too have a reason(s) for their irresponsible acts. That could be either physical or psychological. Again, finding out the wind responsible for a particular wave – not so easy.
- Offer them help: Don’t try to make sense out of their issues. Instead, address them immediately, whatever absurd as it may sound.
- Strengthen the skills: Build confidence in them by promoting the skills. Following what they love brings them back to the central stage without depending attention gimmicks.
Conclusion
Be it in the classroom or home; children would love to be in the limelight. They always want assurance from parents, teachers, and relatives that they are being loved, cared, and, more importantly, considered.
The feeling of being ignored can convert a child to an attention-seeker. But when the children garner other’s attention naturally, they avoid taking cheap shortcuts. And recognize that buffoon’s hat returns only notoriety.