Which group of children is often emotionally affected by violence and may model aggressive behaviors?

The group of children aged 3 to 6 years old is particularly susceptible to the emotional effects of violence, as they are in a critical stage of social and emotional development. At this age, children are developing their understanding of social norms and behaviors, heavily influenced by their environment, including what they witness in terms of aggression or violence. They are likely to emulate behaviors they observe, as they often imitate adults and older children as a way of learning how to interact with the world around them.

This age group is also characterized by their limited ability to process and understand complex emotions and situations, which can lead to confusion and anxiety when exposed to violence. As a result, they may express their distress through aggressive behavior, fear, or withdrawal, modeling the conflict they have seen. Therefore, the emotional impact on them can be profound, affecting their behavior and social interactions.

Younger children, like infants, and older groups, such as 6 to 11-year-olds and adolescents, experience and process violence differently. Infants lack the cognitive ability to understand or imitate behaviors, while older children and adolescents might exhibit different coping mechanisms or become more aware of the implications of violence in their lives. Hence, the emotional and behavioral modeling seen in the 3 to