Even when a teacher points out to the aggressive child that the intentions of the other were not hostile, the aggressive child may have difficulty understanding the situation for what it really is. Schoolagers Between 1st and 3rd grade, most children lose the impulse and need to attack others aggressively. An aggressive child may strike a sibling, but seldom would he or she hit a friend at school or on the playground. Door slamming and foot stomping may occur at home, but most 3rd graders have enough control to contain themselves at school. Some children continue to act aggressively between 4th and 9th grade.
Boys display aggression in the form of direct confrontations and physical attacks.
Girls seldom display physical aggression in this same age range, but they act aggressively by shunning, ostracizing, and defaming others. Researchers have found that children who are the most aggressive in 4th grade tend to continue to be aggressive thereafter. However, even older children can learn coping strategies and self-control. Older children Even a child who seems to have grown out of his aggressive ways can be provoked when placed in an oppressive environment, for instance, poverty, social disorganization, crowding, neighborhood tensions, or a threatening situation. Children who have been handled harshly, inconsistently, and with little consideration may have built up anger from lack of love and nurturing.