Introduction: This review explores the meaning and origins
of aggression in early years. Eight pathways to aggression
with origins in early childhood are suggested. These include:
the contribution of individual factors; the effects of disturbed
family dynamics; parental characteristics and parenting
practices; the impact of exposure to violence and the influence
of attachment relationships. Other influences such as: aggression
relating to psychiatric/medical syndromes; the influence of
neurodevelopment pathways and psychodynamic explanations,
such as aggressive behavior in relation to mothers’ reflective
capacity are also discussed. Conclusion: While several routes
to aggression have been proposed, no single factor is sufficient
to explain the development of aggressive behavior. Longitudinal
studies are sorely needed to observe aggressive behavior in
children and to monitor their developmental trajectories