A–Z Glossary

Behavioral inhibition

Behavioral inhibition is a temperament style in which a child is cautious and slow to warm up in unfamiliar settings.

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Understanding child behavior patterns

Understanding child behavior patterns

Behavior as developmental communication Child behavior is best understood as an observable output of a developing brain. Executive functions, including inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and planning, mature gradually from early childhood through adolescence. Emotional regulation also develops slowly and depends heavily on co-regulation: the adult’s ability to provide calm, predictable support while the […]

Why some children struggle to make friends

Why some children struggle to make friends

Friendship begins with repeated practice To understand why some children struggle, it helps to see how children make friends in the first place. Friendship is usually built through repeated small exchanges: noticing another child, joining play, responding to bids for attention, taking turns, and recovering after disagreement. These steps sound simple to adults, but for […]

Child shy in social situations

Child shy in social situations

What shyness can mean in childhood Shyness in children is often described as behavioral inhibition, social reticence, or a cautious response to unfamiliar people and settings. Research commonly frames shyness as inhibition, fear, and avoidance during social novelty or social evaluation. In everyday language, this may look like a child who watches before joining, speaks […]

Helping children who avoid new experiences

Helping children who avoid new experiences

Understanding avoidance without blame A child who avoids new experiences is not simply being difficult. Avoidance is a biologically understandable strategy: when the brain detects threat or uncertainty, the autonomic nervous system may shift toward fight, flight, freeze, or appease responses. In children, this can look like hiding behind a caregiver, refusing to enter a […]