When we take time to see the world from the child's perspective, we can be more helpful. For example, a child may fight getting ready for school because he is afraid of school. A child may throw a fit because no one notices him unless he does. Or a child may scream and cry in the store because that's how she consistently gotten what she wanted. It is often hard for adults to understand a child's perspective.
Adults commonly apply adult motives to children's behavior.
Likewise children are not normally show-offs unless they learn by experience that they must act up in order to get attention. It is better to think of the message children are trying to communicate to us rather than try to play psychologist with their motives. Parents may be unaware of stresses and disappointments in their children's lives. Understanding the child's life is good preparation for helping children. The single most important thing parents can do is respond to their children promptly and sensitively.