A study published yesterday by the Australian platform "The Conversation" clarified that saying "no" to a child is a fundamental part of their upbringing, as it helps them learn how to deal with disappointment and frustration, understand their feelings, and regulate their emotions, thereby enabling them to face various situations in life.
Building Psychological Boundaries
Fiona Boyle, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education at Edith Cowan University in Australia, stated that setting clear boundaries for children and refusing some of their requests contributes to their psychological growth, as these situations help them learn to wait and accept the non-fulfillment of their desires. She explained that children develop their ability to regulate their emotions through repeated experiences of frustration, with parental support.
Firmness with Empathy
The study highlighted the importance of being clear and consistent when refusing children's requests, while understanding their feelings and considering their distress. It warned that parents backing down from a refusal due to a child's persistence may reinforce the belief that repeating the request changes the answer. It emphasized the need to balance firmness with empathy, so the child feels their emotions are understood without all their desires being met.
Practical Educational Tools
She pointed out that stories and role-playing games provide useful means to help children identify their emotions and practice dealing with rejection situations, along with encouraging and praising them when they manage to overcome disappointment. She stressed the importance of considering children's ages and developmental stages, noting that preparing them in advance for changes, such as informing them five minutes before playtime ends, may help them accept them better.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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