Frequently Asked Questions

General Violence Prevention Questions

1. Why does the ACT Project emphasize the importance of intervening with such young children to prevent violence?

   Nearly a half century of research has shown that violence is a learned behavior, often learned when a child is very young. But the skills of violence prevention can also be learned at a young age. The ACT Project emphasizes that the early years are critical for learning and that the adults in children's lives can be the primary teachers of violence prevention. These adults—parents and other caregivers—can be important role models who show young children how to handle anger, resolve conflicts, and face life's difficulties without violence. The ACT Project provides parents and other adults the information and skills to teach violence prevention to the children who are close to them.

2. Why is child development important to early violence prevention?

   Child development is the unfolding sequence of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that children undergo as they grow. Adults who understand how children think and act at different ages of their young lives can be more effective in teaching children positive nonviolent behaviors. For more information, refer to Understanding Child Development as a Violence Prevention Tool (PDF).

3. What is aggression and how is it expressed by young children?

   Aggression is defined as a hostile action intended to cause harm to others. When children are frustrated, they will display aggression differently according to their age. Infants and young children (up to about 3 years old) display instrumental aggression that is object-oriented. Older children (from 3 to 8 years old) will also use hostile or relational aggression that is person-oriented. See Resolving Conflict.

4. What are the primary skills of early violence prevention?

   The ACT Project focuses on four primary areas: Managing Anger, Resolving Conflicts, Discipline, and Media Violence. The first three areas focus on how parents and other adults can teach very young children by modeling positive behaviors themselves—e.g., by managing their own anger when resolving conflicts or exerting discipline, they show their children how to do it. Media violence actually involves parents stepping in and controlling their children's access to violent media.

5. What are the various types of discipline strategies?

   The ACT Project defines discipline as a way for adults to help children calm down, control their emotions, and think differently about a conflict. Discipline is not punishment but, rather, a strategy to teach self-control. ACT emphasizes positive discipline that is appropriate to the age and cognitive development of the child. Since young children do not understand dangers and consequences, parents need to step in and protect their safety and not expect that they will learn from the experience. As they mature and begin to understand what is expected of them, parents need to use other strategies—such as withholding fun activities—to teach some consequences of misbehaving. See Discipline.

6. I am a victim of violence. Where can I find help?

   Information about help is available at http://helping.apa.org. There is also a toll-free number to call at 1-800-964-2000.

General Questions about the ACT Project

1. How can I get involved with ACT?

   ACT is a multi-faceted program that includes the ACT Against Violence Prevention Campaign, ACT publications, and the ACT Training Program, so there are many ways to get involved. As an individual, you can download or order ACT materials for your own use; as a member of an organization, you can coordinate a prevention awareness meeting using ACT information; or as a professional working in the community, you can apply for training to learn how to train others in the ACT program. For additional ideas, see Eight Ways to Put ACT into ACTion.

2. Who can become an ACT-Trained Professional?

   Professionals in psychology, early childhood education, social work, public health, and related disciplines, with interest and expertise in the following areas, may be eligible for training:

   • Have experience in public speaking, conducting training and workshops;
   • Have experience in consulting with family and child service providers, schools, child care centers, public health agencies;
   • Work for local government agencies, community-based organizations;
   • Are interested in community action, community mobilization;
   • Have interest and experience in violence prevention.
     
     

   See ACT Training Program for more information.

3. How can I order ACT publications?

   Single copies of most ACT publications are available free—for downloading in pdf format or using the Order Form from the APA. Costs for quantities and shipping are indicated on the Order Form.