Harsh behaviour of parents hinders intellectual development of children

Critical or harsh behaviour of parents towards their children may hamper the latter's mental growth and have a negative impact on their minds which, in the long run, hinders their intellectual development.
Parents teach their children the rights and wrongs through rewards and punishments, helping them understand which actions are acceptable and which are not.
“Critical parental attitude like scolding, negative comments or punishments have negative impacts on children's development which in the long run may ruin their academic life,” said Prof Dr MSI Mullick, chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
The development of a healthy self-esteem is extremely important for children to be happy and successful, he said.
Negative approaches by parents make children lose confidence and have low self-esteem, barring them from trying new things and mixing with new people, he said.
They feel unloved and unwanted, hesitate to be in social networks and, out of lack of confidence, lose attention in studies and stop liking schools and social gatherings.
Psychologist Dr MA Mohit Kamal, associate professor, National Institute of Mental Health, blames parents, saying scolding, yelling, and hostility show a lack of faith and may provoke rebellion.
Children, at home, schools or workplaces, have to face negative approaches in different ways. Parents and teachers raise their voices or speak firmly to children if they break a rule or do anything wrong.
Dr Mohit suggests showing faith in children by requests, polite commands and use of the word “please” rather than using negative words like “no”, “do not”, “stop”, “quit”, and “can not”.
Instead of saying “Stop leaving your toys everywhere”, they should say “Please pick up your toys now, dear”, he said. Critical attitude of teachers may also result in a child having low self-esteem and sometimes wanting to avoid school.
Experts say teachers should deal with children softly and be assertive instead of being strict and tough.
Dr Mullick suggests openly and smoothly communicating with children and listening to what they have to say too.
Sometimes parents compare children with their friends, cousins or neighbours. This type of attitude destroys the children's tranquility of mind. They feel encased in a competitive atmosphere and get disheartened with small failures, he added.
A little understanding of a child's psyche, love, support and a lot of patience can change things and unruly child can calm down and become well behaved, said the experts adding that parents need to keep on trying in a positive manner.