Notice the signs
How might it show up?
Appears early as children develop preferences and increasingly learn to distinguish wanting something from immediately getting it.
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A little parent guide
Desire
A strong wish to have, do, experience, or move toward something.
One parent to another
Mom is here with you.
Start with the basics
What is desire?
A strong wish to have, do, experience, or move toward something.
A thought for parents
What can a parent do?
Help children put words to what they want while also learning that wanting something does not guarantee getting it.
A normal part of growing
Is desire normal in childhood?
Very common and part of learning preferences, motivation, patience, choice, and self-control.
Keep exploring
Stories and play
Feelings can be easier to understand when children meet them in stories, play, and everyday conversations.