From birth to 5, children learn many things very quickly and acquire skills at surprising speed so when it suddenly appears that a child is regressing it can be a real worry for parents.
For example, if your bundle of energy suddenly decides that they can’t walk anymore and wants to be carried or starts to suck their thumb for comfort when they’d stopped doing that a while back or when they suddenly decide they can’t talk anymore preferring to point and cry, it’s easy to think that something is wrong.
While a dramatic change in their life like: the birth of a new baby, change of home, change in baby sitter or nursery etc. are common causes of regression, it can also happen for no reason at all, and be nothing to worry about.
When children learn new skills it gives them a great deal of excitement and independence, so they steam ahead alone to learn as much as they can. Then one day they become overwhelmed and suddenly realise they don’t want to do things alone and be independent after all. Instead they’d rather be with mum and dad have their company and have everything done for them for a little while longer.
When this happens, you need to reassure your little one that you’re still there for them, no matter how independent and grown up they become.
By understanding that independence often means loneliness to your child, (which they might not emotionally be ready for), you can smooth the path giving them the reassurance and comfort they seek.
Once their feelings have been acknowledged and as long as they know that you’re still there for them, they should feel better and revert back to their normal independent selves again.
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