Tips for children with a lot of genius 2026

I had to stop taking him to the supermarket because he ran out and threw everything in his path. We also can't go to restaurants and at family gatherings he makes a huge fuss, something that none of his cousins ​​do. And then, even though he's broken, there's no way to get him to bed. Is it normal that he is so small and has so much genius? Roberto, 18 months old.

The expert's advice. At one year old they are still too young to talk about hyperactivity. What is clear is that some children of this age are especially sensitive to stimuli or have difficulty self-regulating their emotions. For example, there are some who, in situations such as a family gathering or simply playing a game, become overexcited and do not know how to calm themselves down.

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These children need their parents to calm them down, whether by taking them away from the situation for a moment, holding them in their arms, distracting them... whatever works in each case. It is not about avoiding "conflictive" situations, you just have to take into account the character of the child and expose him to these situations with caution. For example, for a child sensitive to noise and crowds, a long shopping session is not the most advisable, nor is it logical to expect him to fall asleep immediately after a busy afternoon of games with his cousins. It is important to know our son well to know how to avoid risky situations.

He doesn't know how to be with other children

If he wants another child's cube or tricycle, he simply pushes or smacks it and takes it away. Teresa, 13 months old.

The expert's advice. Aggression is part of human nature, but through education children learn to socialize their emotions. At these ages, when they want something, they want it now, and it is early for them to understand that not everything is theirs and that when they hit or bite they are doing harm. If these behaviors are sporadic, there is no need to worry, just tell them that this is not done (if they do not listen to us, we can try to distract them with another activity or take them away from the game for a little while). But if hitting and biting is a regular part of their behavior, we should ask ourselves what is happening and perhaps seek help.

It drives me crazy

When I'm with him, he doesn't leave me for a moment. I give him pictures and within a minute he gets tired, no toy lasts in his hand even five minutes and as soon as I leave his angle of vision he starts screaming. Is it normal that he doesn't entertain himself with anything? Oscar, 14 months

The expert's advice. Between the first and second year, the ability to play alone is very limited. They have not yet internalized their relationship with objects and they need to be close to mom and dad for everything, including to play (it has been shown that, when parents leave the room, children stop playing), but that does not mean that you have to entertain them all the time. Everyday activities like making dinner can be very fun for them, especially if we talk to them and tell them what we do.

He spends the day crying

He complains continually and when he wants something, even though he knows we are going to give it to him, he asks for it crying. I took her to the pediatrician because I thought maybe something was wrong with her and he told me that the girl is healthy. I tell her: "Until you ask me well, I won't give it to you," but that only makes her more nervous and irritable. Nerea, 21 months old.

The expert's advice. Although at this age they are learning to speak, their main communication tool is still crying. It is normal for them to use it to express their fears, their discomfort or their insecurities. Furthermore, they begin to have their own criteria, which often do not coincide with that of the parents: they are no longer those babies that we can bathe whenever we want. On the other hand, it is too early for them to understand that if they do not stop crying they will not get what they want. The emotion control mechanisms have not developed (it is a very long process that has just begun and continues until adolescence), so we cannot ask them to regulate themselves, but rather help them calm down.

Advisor: Marta Sadurní, director of the emotional bond laboratory, Department of Psychology at the University of Gerona. Alejandra Sotomayor, director of the El oso de papel nursery school (Madrid).