Top News

Do not expect premature children to behave like adults
Samira Vishwas | January 18, 2026 10:24 AM CST

Summary: Why is it wrong to expect children to grow up prematurely?

Expecting mature behavior from children before their age negatively impacts their emotional and mental development. Allowing childhood to be lived at its natural pace lays the foundation for a confident and balanced future.

Child Psychology Development: Expecting children to behave like adults prematurely puts unnecessary pressure on their emotional and mental development. If understanding, restraint and maturity are expected from them at the age when they should be playing, making mistakes and expressing their feelings openly, then they become filled with confusion and fear inside. Crying, being stubborn or getting angry is a part of their learning process. When we give children the freedom to behave as per their age, they feel safe and gradually develop responsibility, confidence and wisdom. to end childhood early

Instead, it is important that we respect it, because it forms the foundation of a strong and balanced future.

Play is in progress.

The childhood of every child goes according to his age, mental development and experiences. At the age when a child learns to play, ask questions and make mistakes, expecting him to have the wisdom of adults is against his natural development. The child is still understanding the world, recognizing rules and emotions.

When a child is told that he has grown up now, “Don’t cry over such a small thing”, or “Behave like a sensible child”, he starts suppressing his emotions from within. Trying to mature prematurely leaves him emotionally exhausted. This burden can later manifest in the form of anxiety, lack of confidence and fear.

Children cry, get angry, insist because this is their language. If they are taught every time that showing emotions is weakness, they will stop expressing themselves. The expectation of behaving like adults takes away their most important rights from children. Understanding and accepting emotions makes them emotionally stronger.

Often children are compared with other intelligent children and such comparison fills the child’s mind with the feeling that he is not good. Gradually his self-esteem starts weakening. Instead of accepting himself, the child starts trying to be like others, which hinders the development of his personality.

Parent comforting a child through gentle touch
Childhood needs safety, not pressure.

Children learn only by making mistakes. If they are expected to behave correctly all the time, they become afraid of making mistakes. This fear limits their curiosity and creativity. Instead of imposing adult-like behavior, it is important to provide them a safe environment where they can make mistakes, learn and become better.

The job of elders is to give direction to children, not to burden them with their expectations. It is important to teach discipline, but in an age appropriate manner. The child should feel that he is accepted as he is. When parents show patience, understanding and sensitivity, the child gradually learns responsibility and wisdom on his own.

Childhood is a time that never comes back. This is a time to laugh, play, dream and discover yourself. If children are expected to behave like adults at this age, their childhood is snatched away. When we allow children to live as per their age, only then they become balanced, confident and happy in future.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK