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Discovering the world
At the beginning of his life, a child is not really aware of the world around him. We give him a drink when he is thirsty, we dress him when he is cold, without his needing to understand the cause and effect relationship. Then he becomes aware of the outside world little by little, his brain begins to function more and more rationally. The child sets out to discover the world, he turns to others and increasingly seeks to interact with his environment. It is also at this age that his language matures. Hence an avalanche of questions to try to understand what surrounds him.
Be patient with your child
If the child asks all these questions, it is because he needs answers. So you have to be patient and try to answer each of them according to your age. Certain explanations that are too in-depth or said too early could indeed shock him. The most important thing is never to put the child in difficulty. If you reach the overflow, offer to take these questions later or refer him to another person. This will help them remember that you care about their questions. On the other hand, don’t try to explain everything to him either. It is better to wait until he questions you spontaneously. This will often mean he’s mature enough to hear the answer.
Establish a relationship of trust with your child from the age of 3
The subjects discussed by children are often unpredictable and their questions can confuse you, such as those concerning sexuality for example. If they make you uncomfortable, tell your child, and use devious means like books. Prefer those with diagrams rather than photos, more likely to shock him. The best is always to try to give the most exact answer possible. Also know that with his questions, your child is also testing you. So do not feel guilty if you do not know what to answer, this is the opportunity to show him that you are not all-powerful and infallible. By being sincere in your answers, you will establish a bond of trust with your child.
Tell the truth to your child
This is one of Françoise Dolto’s major ideas: the importance of true speech. The child intuitively understands what we say, and even a very young child is able to detect the accent of truth in our words. So avoid answering important questions, such as sexuality or serious illnesses, in a way that is too evasive or even worse, lying to them. This can create terrible anguish in him. Providing him with the most exact answers possible is the best way to give meaning to reality and therefore to reassure him.