What is "Gang Age"?
What is "gang age"? Its characteristics and how to handle it well
Do you know the word "gang age"? Some people may have a bad image from the word "gang".In fact, gang age is one of the child's growth processes. It's not a bad thing, it's an important time to become independent. This time, I will introduce the characteristics of gang age and how parents should deal with it.
What is Gang Age?
Gang age is one of the developmental stages of children that can be seen from around the age of 8-9. It is called "gang age" because children's sense of companionship begins to grow and they form a closed small group with friends of the same age and sex.It is said that it is a time when children, whose parents and teachers have been absolute adults, get out of their dependence and grow up under the influence of their peers.Mischief and evil may be included in collective action, and some moms and dads are worried that they may have entered a period of rebellion. However, it is a starting line for your child's independence, so let's take it as a parent.
Characteristics of children seen during this period
Let's take a concrete look at the behavior of gang age children.
Making friends of the same sex and age
From Preschool to the lower grades of elementary school, I tended to play with various friends regardless of gender or age, but in the gang age period, I started to form a group of friends of the same sex and age and started to act together. increase. In addition, they tend to be closed to the outside world by creating a sense of unity as a group by creating their own rules and secrets with their peers.
Avoid interference from parents
They tend not to tell their parents about their friends or what happened at school, or to avoid being interfered by their parents by lying. It's also a time when you'll want to act with your friends rather than your family, and your friends will grow.
Rebellious behavior towards parents and teachers
It is a characteristic of children at this time that they often say "noisy!" Or make excuses no matter what they say, and take a rebellious attitude. Rough wording can become more noticeable, and it seems that many moms are shocked.Girls beware of bullying and left out of, boys beware of way too risky behaviorBecause they form groups of the same sex, gang ages tend to differ by gender. For girls, values within the group are more important. Sometimes you leave a friend you don't like, and that can lead to bullying. Understand that you can be both a bully and a bully.Boys tend to find bad and dangerous things cool, and sometimes take excessively dangerous actions, saying, "I'm not scared if we do it together." As a guardian, you may feel uncomfortable, but you need to be on the lookout as long as it's not too dangerous.
How to treat your child to successfully survive the gang age
While understanding the minds of gang age children, let's take a look at the points to be aware of when dealing well with children during this period.
Notice the change in the child
While making friends can deepen bonds with friends, the formation of each group can lead to loss of friends and bullying, which cannot be resolved by children alone and can be supported by parents. You may need it. Be aware of the changes in your child that are hidden behind rebellious words and behaviors, and remember to snuggle up and discuss them when something goes wrong.
Face the child without feeling emotional
You may be frustrated by your child's rebellious attitude and wording, but it is important to understand that your child's rebellious attitude during this period is one of the stages of growth and to take it calmly. Children at this time dislike interference from parents and adults, but it is the parents who are always reliable.Be aware of your child's rebellious attitude, avoid being emotional, and try to communicate face-to-face with your child.
It is important to watch over without denying
It is also important to avoid denying children and playing with friends, and to watch over the environment in which children are deeply involved. However, as a child who is not yet well-judged, he may play more pranks with his peers during this time. Instead of leaving it alone because it is a gang age, it is also necessary to keep an eye on it and make sure that the child's judgment of "good or bad" is correct.
Watch your child grow and survive the gang age with your child
If you can spend the "gang age" period well, your child will become interested in society and others and willingly try to get involved. It will become the basis of human relationships and social life when you grow up in the future, and you will be able to naturally blend in with society. I think it's a time of trouble for parents, but let's get over this time well with parents and children while understanding the hearts of children during the gang age period.