The Fruit Candy Challenge: Inoculating Self-control In Children

The fruit candy challenge has flooded social networks recently. Many people on the internet have also called it the challenge of patience, since in reality it is about a basic development capacity: self-control in children.

The challenge is to fill a bowl with attractive food for children, usually sweets such as fruit candy. The parents / guardians place it within the child’s sight and reach. However, the child is told that they cannot eat them until the adult returns. Meanwhile, a camera records the child alone while the adult is away for a few minutes.

Children’s reactions are quite varied, some predictable and others surprising. There are children who show great self-control and even resort to disruptive techniques such as singing or instructing themselves not to touch the candy. Others just take a little bite and put it away quickly, and regret it. On the other hand, other children are overcome by temptation and can not resist eating the candy before the specified time.

Background: The Marshmallow test

This challenge has a precedent in the 70s, known as the marshmallow test. A researcher named Mischel conducted this experiment with his collaborators at Stanford University . Their goal was to get answers regarding delayed satisfaction and self-control in children.

The marshmallow test is similar to the fruit candy challenge. However, this experiment suggested otherwise. If the child was able to resist the temptation, they would receive twice as many sweets as they were initially provided. In this way, they discovered that the children who passed the experiment used distraction techniques and self-instruction.

However, the biggest discoveries came later. Interestingly, they evaluated the same children in adolescence, which led them to other important findings.

Those who passed the experiment had greater social skills and higher self-esteem. On the other hand, those who did not make it to the end of the experiment had higher levels of impulsivity, aggression and a greater likelihood of developing behavioral disorders.

Self-control in children

Self-control in children is the opposite of infantile impulsivity. Basically, it assumes an ability to regulate one’s own emotions and impulses. Self-control is actually a rather complex skill, especially in children. It requires training and is especially difficult to handle for up to four or five years.

This ability affects all important areas of a child. For this reason, it is related to the development of difficulties in later stages. For example, in the social sphere, self-control in children is especially important when it comes to respecting the turn to talk, controlling tantrums, sharing and respecting each child’s characteristics. In the same way, low self-control leads to poor emotional regulation, and the child can be overwhelmed in everyday situations.

Some childhood disorders can seriously compromise self-control. For example, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. One of the most important characteristics of this disorder is impulsivity. This, of course, compromises the individual’s everyday life and even their physical health by having frequent accidents and falls.

How to assess self-control in children

The fruit candy challenge has entertained users of social media by witnessing the inner struggle that some children have to show self-control. However, some signs in daily life allow us to assess this ability. Let’s see what they are.

• At school, children can be patient. They wait to hear their name, raise their hands to speak, respect their turn to speak and try not to interrupt the class very often.
• In the social field, they establish dialogues and games where they are not always in the center of attention. Interestingly, these never seem like monologues. They also show openness to the possibility of sharing.

• In the family environment, children who gradually develop their self-control show more self-calming skills during tantrums as they grow older. In addition, they learn to accept the frustrations they may encounter.

Self-control is an ideal, a model people should follow regardless of age. Not all children develop this ability in the same way and at the same time. As a consequence, not all of these skills are acquired. It is important to remember that learning is a thorough process.

As you can see, the fruit candy challenge can be fun. It helps to learn how children handle situations that require self-control. Through it, the adult is able to observe the way the child develops this skill.

A good way to instill self-control in children is precisely by having good self-control yourself. Remember that when it comes to parenting, you are acting like a mirror. Your child will always aim to act the way you do. Be a good example!