Fatigue: If the child is tired after too much stimulation and play, he seeks rest, just like an adult. Adults usually will pursue some hobby like reading a magazine, watching T.V. etc. or will go to bed for rest. A child unfortunately is too small to have hobbies as a means of recreation and tension outlet. Plus sleeping is the last thing that is in his mind. Therefore, he craves for parental attention and love when tired. So it is the duty of parents to hug and cuddle the child and make him feel relaxed, after which he can be gently hilled to sleep.
Hunger: Some children become irritable and edgy when they are hungry. Thus some of the below mentioned behaviours may be exaggerated. A child, usually, will not start eating as soon as he comes home, particularly if he is also tired. However after some “quality time” relaxation with his parents, he can be offered food, which he will eat ravenously.
Lack of parental attention (boredom/ loneliness): It happens many a time that the parents are too busy in their work or in some social gathering or absorbed in watching an interesting episode or movie on the T.V. The child may be trying to attract their attention at the same time, like he may want to show them something or simply seek their company. But due to lack of parental attention, he feels neglected and left out. So as an outlet for his tension and frustration, he may exhibit some of the behaviours listed below:
Frustration: It may be that the child is frustrated and feels “low” due to reasons like the day in school was not good, he had a fight with his friends, the teacher scolded him because he didn’t know certain thing which the teacher asked etc. Naturally, at this time, he turns towards his parents for love and sympathy. Parents should be shrewd and alert enough to pick this up and gently ask the child what is bothering him.
They should lift up the spirits of the child and also provide some means of entertainment like his favourite toy, video games etc. as a vent for his frustrations. One good thing about children is that they don’t keep any hurt or grouse in their heart for long, as adults do. So once they get love from their parents, they quickly become satisfied and return back to normal instead of prolonged sulking.