Boys Trying to Be The "Alpha"

[Unregistered]

I feel like the boys in my group are acting like animals vying to be the alpha. Lots of pushing, getting in each others faces, hitting unprovoked. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

[Unregistered]

No, that's not what they are doing. Google child development ages 3-5. Social as well as large motor. PBS kids has a pretty good description of every age and developmental milestones for each area (physical, emotional, etc.).
They are trying to communicate their needs and feelings. You can help by voicing it for them until they learn how (from your modeling). For example: "You wanted the car", " You had the car and now Nick had it", "I think You want to you the car when Nick is finished" "You could say, 'Nick, can I have the car when you're done?'", etc.

[Unregistered]

Thank you, I will look that up.

[Josiegirl]

To PP that may very well be true but to the OP, I feel like I've had the situation with 1 dcb against 2 others at 2 different times. DCB is 8 now and he has always done it. Maybe it's his personality to be in control, to need to be the winner, top dog. First time he showed his true colors was when he was about 3 with another dcb I had. That lasted until he was almost 5 and the other dcb started K(he!!ish couple of years). Then I had another dcb start that happens to be in this dcbs same class at school and omg what a year that was. They were both 5-6 at the time. I remember helping another child in the bathroom, walking out and both dcbs were trying to yank a CD out of my player at which time they broke the player. It was constantly a struggle with those 2.
So imagine my disappointment when 1 of the dcms said due to transportation her ds wouldn't be able to come when school started again.
So now I just have that 1 original dcb that is now 8 yo and when he's here, it's much better. All the rest are girls. There are still issues from time to time due to his need for control but nothing like previously.

So call it what you will, I survived through basically 3 years of it and tried every single thing except handcuffs and duct tape to manage their behaviors.

[Leigh]

No, that's not what they are doing. Google child development ages 3-5. Social as well as large motor. PBS kids has a pretty good description of every age and developmental milestones for each area (physical, emotional, etc.).
They are trying to communicate their needs and feelings. You can help by voicing it for them until they learn how (from your modeling). For example: "You wanted the car", " You had the car and now Nick had it", "I think You want to you the car when Nick is finished" "You could say, 'Nick, can I have the car when you're done?'", etc.

We practice this on a regular basis. I had slacked off on it, and then I had a little whose behavior got out of control. We're back to practicing. We'll sit down and I ask "What if nick took the car from you? What should you do? Get a grown up!". It had seriously cut down on kids hitting and fighting. Now, I hear my older boys saying on their own "Nick, may I play with that car when you're done with it?".