Emotional and Social Development, Ages 1-3

Welcome back! April 21, 2014 Today’s Agenda:

Emotional and Social Development between ages 1 and 3

Bell ringer Video: Toddler Self Esteem Notes: Emotional and Social Development

Emotional patterns

Emotional development goes in cycles throughout a child’s development.

Periods of negativism, rebellion, happiness, calmness, stability.

Generally around certain ages, though all are different. These are general guidelines.

Create roller coaster

18 months

Self-centered – think only about their own needs and wants, and not those of others.

Up until now, all needs have been met on demand. Starts to change around this age.

Favorite word: “’No!”

Negativism

Doing the opposite of what others want

Normal for a toddler They want independence – say no

because want to decide for themselves

They are frustrated – bodies can’t always do what they want, language skills aren’t developed enough to express what they want, so very frustrated! Ends up as “No!”

Battle of wills

Parents fight with child and it goes back and forth – no one gives in

Strategies to help prevent this: Put things away you don’t want touched Positive guidance

Give choices – give them some control Redirect the child – attention off the issue Encourage talking – help them learn to say

what they want or feel

2 years (Terrible?)

More emotionally stable – speech and motor skills have improved = less frustration

Understand more and can wait a bit longer for needs to be met

Expresses love and affection freely Seeks approval and praise Easier to reason with Less self-centered

2 ½ years

Learning so much, often overwhelmed

Comprehension and desires exceed their physical abilities – blocks get knocked over

Know what they want to say – not always recognizable by adults

Strongly want independence – do not want to conform

2 ½ continued

Independence and immaturity clash At this age, are stubborn,

demanding, and domineering Moods change rapidly: from

screaming to loving in no time Need consistency! Same routines,

carried out the same way, everyday. Way of coping with confusing world.

Giving Choices

How would you deal with the below situations in offering this child a choice: Luis wants to wear a new top while

working in the garden John wants to eat candy for breakfast Bobby wants the toy that Matt is using Katrina wants to take a plastic toy with

her to bed

3 year old

Generally happy and cooperative Learning to be considerate More physical capabilities – less

frustration More willing to take direction Will change behavior to get praise –

which they want Like to talk and better are at it Can be reasoned with and controlled

with words

3 ½ years

Become very insecure Fears are common Afraid of the dark, lions and tigers,

monsters, strangers, or loud noises May start new habits of self-comfort:

thumb sucking, nail biting of nose picking to release tension

Try to ensure security by controlling environment

Good Morning! 4/23/14

Today’s Agenda: Bell ringer – compare contrast with

partner Finish Emotional and Social

Development notes Complete study guide as review

Compare/Contrast

What are the different ways a 2 year old and a 3 year old might respond to these situations? An adult who wants to help the child

with everything Starting a new child care situation Visiting a parents workplace

Specific emotions

Anger – way of reacting to frustration

Expression changes over this stage: 18 months – kick and scream 3 years – use words

Target of anger 18 months – no specific person or object 3 years – likely to aim at person or

object they see as responsible for causing frustration

Anger

More frequent in anxious and insecure children Children who haven't learned self-

control Children whose parents are overly

critical Whose parents are inconsistent

Help them by: Making sure demands are limited and

reasonable Respond in a controlled way

Fear

Have particular fears at each age 1 year old: high places, strangers,

loud noises 3 year old: dark, animals and storms Can be useful: keep them away from

danger Others will be overcome with

development

Separation Anxiety

Fear of being away from parents or caregivers

Hard on parents – feel guilty leaving Is a stage they will go through and

grow out of

Coping with separation anxiety

Parents can: Offer support and understanding Encourage child to talk and fears and

listen to them Sometimes accept it and avoid it for

awhile, will go away Read books together about a child who

experiences fear Make unfamiliar situations more secure

– talk about it or go one time to be familiar – know what to expect

Jealousy

Shows up sometime in the 2nd year Parents – may resent affection

shown between Siblings – rivalry develops

New baby Changes in routine or family dynamics

Make sure all children know they are loved

Try to have time with each child individually

Try not to compare children to each other

Love and affection

Relationships that children have with others in these years form the basis of their capacity for love and affection later in life.

Young children must learn to love 1st – love of those who satisfy their

needs Then grows to siblings, pets, and people

outside of their home Relationship should be strong but

not smothering

Individual Differences

Remember! Each child is unique! Develop emotionally in different

ways Partly due to experiences –

opportunities Partly due to how many siblings Partly due to temperament (Intense,

perceptive?) Knowing child’s temperament can

help in dealing with behavior (perceptive).

Developing positive self-concept

Self concept – how they see themselves Different from self-esteem

Formed in response to actions, attitudes and comments from others

Believe what others say about them, which leads to how they behave – “good”, “bad”

Help them by letting them master skills

Signs of healthy emotional relationship

between parent and child

Child seeks approval and praise from parents

Child turns to parents for comfort and help

Child tells parents about significant events so they share in joy or sorrow

Child accepts limits and discipline without unusual resistance

Review

Emotional roller coaster – normal! Many emotions are developing –

know them, how to cope with them, and how to help them through these

Positive self concept Study guide

Let’s Discuss

Annie (2 years old) is in the toy store with her father. From the way she is acting, he thinks she was about to have a temper tantrum. What might he do to prevent it? How should he handle the tantrum is she has one?

What can caregivers/parents do to help a child develop a positive self-concept?