But all we see of another person is their actions, and how we react/how they make us feel.
If this is intense in adulthood - and we have many years expertise and experience coping with it - then how much more difficult it must be for three year old and four year olds!
I think my compassion for younger children has gone up a thousand percent with this simple insight.
Yes, yes, yes: you do explain WHY and HOW the other person might be thinking and feeling.
When do you think meanness becomes a permanent character trait? In the pre-teen years or before?
If there are fixable reasons for meanness, then one can understand and intervene.
Re: Is the seed of mean in theory of mind?
Acting mean and being mean ...
The soul within us is all neutral.
But all we see of another person is their actions, and how we react/how they make us feel.
If this is intense in adulthood - and we have many years expertise and experience coping with it - then how much more difficult it must be for three year old and four year olds!
I think my compassion for younger children has gone up a thousand percent with this simple insight.
Yes, yes, yes: you do explain WHY and HOW the other person might be thinking and feeling.
When do you think meanness becomes a permanent character trait? In the pre-teen years or before?
If there are fixable reasons for meanness, then one can understand and intervene.
Adelaide