Once you are an adult, can you really understand a child's point of view?

Yes – if you think and listen. Here are a few tips from Miriam on seeing the world through a child’s eyes.

• Love is the key. Keep in mind that a child’s need for love and security are paramount and need constant reinforcement.
• Children naturally only see their own point of view. It is up to you to try to see both sides.
• Children have opinions of their own. Respect the fact that they do not necessarily agree with our point of view.
• Children live in the moment. They do not usually think about the long-term consequences of their actions.
• What do they need? Think about what needs they are trying to meet by their behaviour. It may be that there is a sub-text that you can understand if you try to imagine how they may be experiencing the situation.
• There is more than one way to interpret what you say. Even when you speak clearly, you could be saying one thing while they are hearing another.
• Look from more than one perspective. To an adult, dropping an ice cream is a nuisance; to a child it can be a huge disappointment.