These findings are consistent with the results of other longitudinal surveys ( Choquet and Ledoux, 1994). Tremblay (2002) studied a sample of Canadian children and reported that the vast majority of children reduced the frequency of their physical aggression from the time they began school until the end of high school. The notion of specific developmental periods when an increase or decrease in aggression is expected is supported. The aggression associated with these tantrums (kicking and throwing things), is therefore better tolerated. The temper tantrum of the ‘terrible twos’ is generally a universally accepted notion. Both acculturation and cultural social codes may determine the extent of exposure to aggressive events and the levels of expressed aggression among young children. Nevertheless, many other children do live with violence and will be subjected to aggression at some point in their lives ( Perry, 1997). Pygmies of Africa, Mennonites, the Amish and Hutterites of North America do not readily engage in physical violence ( Moghaddam et al., 1992). There are, however, notable exceptions to this hypothesis. The principle of universality would suggest that children of all cultures should exhibit some degree of aggression as a developmental path and progression rather than as the exclusive expression of environmental factors. described early aggressive behavior as an “act directed toward a specific other person or object with intent to hurt or frighten, for which there is a consensus about the aggressive intent of the act” (p. (2000b) is accepted for the purposes of this paper. The definition of aggression proposed by Shaw et al. A wide spectrum of aggressive behavior is possible in the preschool age group. Aggression may also reflect a behavioral pattern that can be attributed to a syndrome, such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Another view of aggression identifies it is a symptom with or without intention or adaptive function. It can be conceptualized as a personality trait or having origins within a difficult temperament In other words aggression may be inherent to the individual. To understand this, one needs to examine the central theme of aggression, individual versus social-cultural aspects of aggressive behavior, and the meaning of aggression.Īggression can be understood in various ways.

Aggression during early childhood is not taken seriously and is often considered a part of growing up.

Kindergarten age