Preschool Emotions: Growing Pains or Evaluation Needed?

Dr Tung Ka Yee (Psychiatry)

This health article is available in Chinese only.

不少幼稚園階段的小朋友都會不時出現情緒爆發，或顯得焦慮不安，家長們可能會擔心是否出現發展問題。其實，三至六歲兒童的情緒控制能力尚未成熟，情緒容易受外界因素影響而波動，這屬於正常的發展現象。隨著年齡增長，其情緒調節能力會逐步提升。

在大部分情況下，兒童的情緒爆發屬於短暫及情境相關，並不需要過分憂慮。例如，當兒童正在專注玩耍時，突然被要求轉換活動，如進食或準備上學，出現鬧情緒或發脾氣的反應屬常見。這類情緒爆發通常在事件過後迅速平復，反映兒童尚未完全適應活動轉換。

此外，生理狀態亦會顯著影響情緒表現。當兒童感到疲累、飢餓或身體不適時，情緒爆發的強度及頻率可能增加，此時的情緒反應同樣屬正常範圍。另一常見情境是生活出現重大轉變，例如初次入讀幼稚園、轉校或升讀小學，這些改變會帶來不確定感，引發暫時性的情緒波動。上述情況下的情緒表現，通常會隨時間及適應而減輕，家長無需過度介入專業評估。

然而，某些情緒特徵則需特別留意，這些可能反映兒童需要進一步支援。倘若情緒爆發持續時間較長、強度逐漸加劇，或出現頻率明顯上升，便應提高警覺。更嚴重的警示徵象包括出現攻擊行為，如打人或自傷，以及情緒問題開始影響生理健康，例如經常主訴肚痛、全身不適，或產生拒絕上學的傾向。這些情況下，情緒困擾已超出正常發展範圍，可能影響兒童的日常生活及身心健康。

家長在觀察兒童情緒時，可留意爆發的持續時間、嚴重程度及是否伴隨生理或行為變化。若情緒問題反覆出現並干擾正常學習與生活，建議盡早帶兒童接受專業評估。專業人士能透過系統觀察及評估，辨別情緒反應是否屬發展階段特徵，抑或涉及焦慮或其他潛在需要，從而提供適切介入。及早識別及支援，有助兒童建立更佳的情緒調節能力，促進健康成長。

The content of this article is for reference only and does not constitute final diagnostic or treatment advice.

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