How does labeling affect children

He is a natural-born artist. She always cries. Labels can greatly influence how children view themselves. Just because children demonstrate a pattern of behavior at one time does not mean they should be labeled as such. Children are growing, developing and changing, and have endless potential. The way parents or other adults label a child can have a lasting impact on how that child thinks of him or herself. When a child has been labeled, that label will become a part of his or her identity.

Labels often do more damage than goodby putting children in boxes. When children are given labels, it affects not only the way they see themselves but also what is expected of them and how they are treated, which in turn, influences who they become. According to a famous study back in , both negative and positive labels changed the way teachers treated students.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email. What Exactly is Labeling a Child? Raising children can feel overwhelming. Let me help! Could you use a little extra help? Because society has determined that labels are needed to provide services and because society does not feel like describing characteristics and would rather use one word to sum something up, does not mean that something is wrong with your child.

Do not hold off on services because you do not want your child labeled. Psychiatric and psychological evaluations can change from year-to-year and person to person but that does not mean that they definitely will. Labels are not set in stone barring genetic medical conditions, birth defects, neurological conditions, etc. Unfortunately, there are humans out there that use these labels in malicious ways to make people feel bad about themselves. We have to label them. So maybe we need to start figuring out if labels are the appropriate answer to determine whether or not a child needs support, rather than holding off on labeling our kids because of the impact that it could have on them socially, emotionally, etc.

A label is only required in order to determine needed services at school and in the community. Also, consider the difference between a label something that seems arbitrary and is subject to change and a diagnosis which can be permanent or be thought of as a medical condition. In the medical field and in schools, there is no distinction.

When utilized as described above, labels serve a positive purpose. When attached to humans, namely children, they still serve a purpose, but the sticking, speaking and costing can have a less than beneficial impact.

Consider the following list of adjectives used as labels on children. Reading through these may trigger memories of labels that were attached to you during your childhood years. You may also recall your own voice speaking or even yelling one of these labels in your home.

These realizations can be humbling. They are not born with a positive self-image. Parents play a vital role in this department. Imagine that each of our responses to him leaves a mark and shapes his character.

Labels carry messages that often confine a child to a particular role or behavior.