This might look like taunting others with insults or trying to annoy or anger another person.
Saying "I'm not touching you" with their fingers an inch from their sibling's face
Saying something mean to a child on the playground
Hitting, punching, kicking, or hurting another person on purpose
Where do they get this from?
Many children provoke others because they dislike themselves. When children have negative thoughts and feelings about themselves, these can become overwhelming. They might try to turn that negativity on other people.
Some children learn to provoke or fight with others from seeing adults and other children behaving this way. They learn that fighting or being mean is a way to get your needs met or to express anger.
Some children say insulting words or provoke others out of impulsivity. They don't want to be mean. But they either don't understand the impact of their words and actions or they can't think quickly enough to stop themselves from acting.
