A toddler has begun hitting and biting other children at a day care center and is
exhibiting temper tantrums and bad language at home. The parent reports that these behaviors began shortly after a sibling was born. What will the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The child's behavior can be explained as a response to the stress of having a new sibling. The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner should engage the parent in positive parenting strategies to facilitate appropriate child coping. This involves providing emotional support, spending one-on-one time with the child, and providing positive reinforcement for good behavior. It is premature to diagnose ADHD or conduct/oppositional defiant disorder at this time. Changing day care centers is unlikely to solve the problem as the root cause of the behavior is the stress associated with the new sibling.

A Toddler Has Begun Hitting and Biting Other Children at a Day