When we hear of children acting silly, we probably don't think of anything serious. Just like the antics in these pictures – getting their tongues stuck to an icy pole, being rubbish at hide-and-seek, or leaving all the apples in a bowl with bite marks. But can silly behavior be an alarm for a bigger problem?
Experts say there's absolutely nothing wrong with children acting silly. They're immature, therefore they're acting immature, it’s totally appropriate for their age. Parenting coach Meghan Leaghy writes for The Washington Post that the reason behind kids' silliness during social interactions can be panic.
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"When young children don't feel comfortable," Leaghy writes, "their brain begins to panic." The silliness that ensues is not a conscious decision. Kids are simply too young to express that they feel uncomfortable in new social situations. The parenting coach writes that then the "panicked brain distracts itself with complete silliness."
If a child starts acting silly when someone introduces them to a grownup, parents shouldn't push them to make eye contact or say 'hello.' Leaghy advises parents to assume the social niceties instead for their kids. It's okay to do all the talking and let the child stand behind a parent's leg. That doesn't mean they'll grow up to be a social ingrate. Their social skills are simply on their way.
Responsive Classroom lists three other reasons kids act silly. It's either for the fun of it, to feel like they belong, or to gain a sense of importance. Acting silly and being playful is just part of childhood and kids can be doing it simply to have fun. It also helps them to connect to those around them. "A shared moment of laughter can lead to close friendships," development professionals write.
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It's also true that acting silly can make you the center of everybody's attention. And that might be a reason why some kids do it. Child development experts claim that silly behavior is the strongest in first, third, and fifth grades. That's the years when they experience intensive social growth.
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Boredom can be another factor. "Boredom, lack of choice and the inability to move the body will turn a 'well-behaved' child into a 'silly' child, and fast," Meghan Leaghy writes in one of her blog posts.
She concludes that parents should encourage the silly child to belong to the class in a productive way, not a silly way. Some strategies can be giving the child more jobs in the classroom, allowing them movement breaks and appointing some time when they can act silly.
Can silly behavior be disruptive? Of course, especially in the classroom. These types of kids often get labeled 'the class clown.' The reason behind such behavior is not always seeking attention.
Understood writes that children might attempt to cover up things like anxiety, bullying, trouble with focus or social skills. Low self-esteem and stressful situations at home can also be reasons.
