Challenging behaviour in children: How to understand and support your child

Parenting comes with a fair share of both joyful highs and inevitable struggles. No matter how well-supported or loved a child is, the unavoidable struggles eventually result in challenging behaviour of some sort. 

As parents, we should remember that facing challenging behaviour in children is not a reflection of failure. It is a reflection of the child’s needs. And, since children may not have the right words to express themselves, we should try to understand every little outburst. 

In this guide, we’ll talk about why challenging behaviour happens and how you can respond in ways that make your child feel safe, seen, and supported.

What are challenging behaviours in children?

Challenging behaviour in children usually looks like aggression (hitting, biting, pushing, and shouting) and refusing to follow directions, but it can also result in social withdrawal. As adults, we shouldn’t take this personally, as such behaviours are the child’s way of coping with emotions or needs they don’t quite understand yet. 

Young children are still developing the tools to manage frustration and communicate. According to The Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University, early childhood is a critical time when brain architecture is being built, meaning emotions can run high, and self-control is still very much a work in progress.

Of course, it’s not always easy to tell whether a behaviour is simply part of a developmental phase or something more concerning – if you’re wondering about the difference, explore our guide to children’s mental health.

Understanding what’s really happening beneath the behaviour can make all the difference. Instead of asking, “How do I stop this?” it becomes, “What is my child trying to tell me?“, opening the door to more connection, less frustration, and better support for your child’s emotional needs.

What are 5 common examples of challenging behaviour in children?

Every child is different and may behave differently when in distress, but the following five behaviours appear at least once in every childhood and need to be noted:

1. Tantrums and meltdowns

Unexpected outbursts brought on by exhaustion, irritation, or overstimulation. Meltdowns are frequently not a sign of defiance but rather of sensory overload.

2. Aggression

Lacking the vocabulary to express emotions and stress is one of the reasons for children to resort to hitting, biting, or shouting. These can also be signs of underlying anxiety or perplexity.

3. Resistance to boundaries

Saying “no” or refusing to comply with orders is frequently a means of expressing independence and pushing limits.

4. Withdrawn or unengaged behaviour

Some children don’t act out, they shut down. Rather than displaying aggression or resistance, they become overly quiet and disinterested. This type of social withdrawal usually masks anxiety and distress.

5. Disruptive behaviour in group or nursery settings

Struggling with routines or social rules can stem from unfamiliar settings, a lack of structure, or social anxiety.

All of these behaviours are developmentally normal in toddlers and young children. They should never be labelled as “bad”; instead, they should make parents ask what it might reveal about their child’s internal struggles.

Typical challenging behaviours by age

Age	Typical challenging behaviours	Often due to
1–3	Tantrums, throwing toys, screaming, biting, hitting	Frustration, limited language, and impulse control
3–4	Aggressive outbursts, refusing to share, strong “NO” phase	Independence, social learning, and handling disappointment
4–6	Testing rules, lying, and emotional overreactions	Exploring boundaries, fear of consequences
6–8	Backtalk, conflicts, and early anxiety	Peer pressure, authority questions, and growing self-awareness

 

You can further explore the key stages of early childhood and the factors that shape them in our guide to social development and the influences that matter most.

What causes challenging behaviour in children?

Children don’t just misbehave, there’s always a reason behind a specific behaviour, usually an unmet need or a situation that feels too hard to handle. Here are some of the most common contributing factors:

Communication issues

Younger children lack the emotional intelligence and vocabulary necessary to communicate their emotions. This may cause annoyance and lead to outbursts.

Emotional overwhelm

Although they lack the skills to control their emotions, children experience them just as strongly as adults. Anger, fear, envy, and grief are examples of strong emotions that can explode in uncontrollable ways.

Transitions and change

Emotional disruption can result from significant life changes, including moving, having a new sibling, beginning a job, or adjustments to family dynamics.

Neurodiversity

Children who are neurodivergent, such as those with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, may struggle with emotional regulation, communication, or processing their environment in expected ways.

Environmental or family stress

Children are highly sensitive to their surroundings, even when they don’t fully understand what’s going on. What’s more, according to attachment theory, a child’s early relationships shape their emotional development. As a result, behavioural issues may be exacerbated by domestic stress, irregular routines, or sleep deprivation.

How to deal with challenging behaviour

Now that we better understand the core of such difficult moments, let’s talk about responding. The goal is to help your child navigate the conduct in ways that foster trust and emotional development, not to completely stop it. Here are several tactics that can be adopted, supported by research:

Stay calm and emotionally regulated

Your ability to maintain composure in the face of adversity demonstrates to your child that you can manage their emotions, no matter how intense. You are teaching emotional control when you role model it.

Be consistent and clear with boundaries

For children to feel safe and comfortable, they must understand the boundaries. Be kind, firm, and explicit. Children benefit from consistency because it lowers anxiety and teaches them expectations.

Use simple, positive language

Telling a child what they can do (“Use gentle hands”) is often more effective than telling them what not to do (“Don’t hit”).

Acknowledge feelings without judgment

Naming your child’s feelings helps them make sense of what’s going on. Phrases like “You’re really upset right now” can help your child feel acknowledged and supported.

Praise positive behaviour as it happens

Notice and name positive behaviour in the moment, even small steps in the right direction deserve acknowledgement. It builds your child’s confidence and reinforces what you’d love to see more of.

To go deeper, visit our resource on promoting positive behaviour.

How do I know if my child’s behaviour is typical or something more serious?

Are you wondering whether your child’s behaviour is just part of their learning journey or something that may need a closer look? If you’re feeling unsure, reflecting on the points below can help you make sense of what’s going on.

• Is the behaviour typical for your child’s age and stage?
• Does it improve with sleep, routine, or emotional support?
• Is your child making steady progress in other areas like language and social development?
• Are there predictable triggers?
• Does it occur only in certain environments?
• Is your child responsive to comfort or guidance?
• Is the behaviour significantly disrupting daily life?

Noticing patterns doesn’t mean there’s a problem. That awareness is a strength, not a cause for worry. There’s no harm in seeking a second opinion. Your nursery team, GP, or health visitor can offer reassurance or connect you with helpful services.

How can I support a child with behavioural issues?

Supporting your child through ongoing behaviour challenges takes patience, as well as strategy. Here are some helpful ways to build connection and trust:

Look for patterns and triggers

Challenging behaviour is often more predictable than it seems. Watch for recurring situations like transitions, tiredness, or noisy environments that lead to outbursts. Spotting triggers helps you understand what your child may need in those moments.

Offer choices

Offering simple, manageable choices, like “Do you want the blue cup or the green one?”, give children a sense of control and reduce the urge to resist. It’s a small shift that can prevent power struggles.

Use play to process emotions

Play is a child’s natural language, it’s how they make sense of their world, work through emotions, and express things they might not have words for yet. Pretend play, drawing, or using playdough can help externalise emotions they may not yet have words for.

Reinforce routines

Predictable routines create a sense of safety. A consistent morning or bedtime rhythm reduces anxiety and helps children handle transitions more calmly.

Keep communication open and calm

A steady tone shows your child their feelings are safe, even if their actions aren’t okay. Say, “It’s okay to feel angry, let’s find a safe way to show it.” If things get physical, calmly redirect with alternatives like stomping feet or squeezing a pillow.

And remember: you’re not alone in this. Nursery teams and early years educators are not just caregivers, they’re experienced partners in your child’s emotional journey.

When should I seek professional support for my child’s behaviour?

You may wish to explore professional support if:

• Behaviour is extreme, frequent, or prolonged
• You suspect a developmental delay or condition
• Your child seems unusually withdrawn or aggressive
• Your family life feels unmanageable

Speak with your GP, SENCO, or early intervention service if you’re unsure. Early support can make a huge difference in helping children learn and grow.

For further guidance, see the NHS page on dealing with child behaviour problems.

How the environment and play can reduce challenging behaviour

Children’s emotions and behaviour are greatly influenced by their surroundings. Cluttered, noisy, or overstimulating settings might exacerbate anxiety or outbursts.

• By creating happy, sensory-friendly spaces in the home and nursery, stress can be reduced, and children can feel safe enough to relax and self-regulate.
• With open-ended play, there is no “right” or “wrong” way for children to explore their emotions. Additionally, being outside fosters emotional resilience and mental health.

Read our guide to playful places for mental wellbeing to learn how to create situations that are emotionally helpful and peaceful.

Looking after yourself while supporting your child

It can be very exhausting to care for a youngster who exhibits problematic behaviour. You may also feel irritated or even bitter at first, and then feel guilty for these feelings.

Your well-being matters. Taking time for yourself, asking for help, and staying connected to others aren’t luxuries; they’re necessary for long-term resilience. When you’re better supported, you’re better able to support your child.

With patience and understanding, children can thrive. And so can you. You’re not alone in this; your local UK nursery community can be a great source of guidance, encouragement, and everyday support.

Final Thoughts

Challenging behaviour is a normal part of childhood and not a reflection of your parenting.

Our best advice is to stay open, curious, and compassionate toward your child and yourself. This will help you build strong foundations for emotional resilience and growth.

No one solution works for everyone. Your child, however, can learn how to manage the strongest emotions in constructive, interconnected ways with the right structure, empathy, and direction.