Emotional and social development

From ages 1-3

18 months

Become self centered

Self-centered- they think about their own needs and wants and not those of others

Because during infancy, they learned caregivers will meet their needs and desires quickly

18 months

Negativism- doing the opposite of what others want

Is normal for toddlers

Causes: desire for independence, frustration over wanting to do more than their bodies and language allows, realization of being a separate person from caregiver

Curbing negativism

Give choices

Redirect the child

Encourage talking

Emotional roller coaster

18 months- defiant, establishing control2 years- affectionate, may be in caregiver’s way2 ½ years- may feel overwhelmed, frustration becomes anger3 years- generally happy, eager to help3 ½ years- child is bothered by fears

Temper tantrums

Release anger or frustration by screaming, crying, kicking, pounding and holding their breath

Starts around 18 months and stops around 3 or 4

Calmer ages: 2 and 3 years

More frustrations: 18 months 2 ½ years

frustrations

18 month old- expressed physically and not directed toward any particular person or thing

3 year old- expressed verbally and less explosively and is directed toward the person or thing that is responsible for the problem

Handling frustrations and anger

Use words

Speak calmly

Take deep breaths

Rest for a while

Discuss misbehavior and consequences after child has calmed down

Separation anxiety

fear of being away from parents, caregivers, or normal environment

Can upset parents or make them feel guilty

This is a stage that kids will grow out of

How to deal with fears

Offer support and understanding without making them feel ashamed

Encourage children to talk about fears

Accept fears rather than confront them

Read books about children who have fears

Make unfamiliar situations more secure

Teach children how to control frightening situations

jealousy

18 months jealousy is pronounced

Peaks when child is 3

Sibling rivalry- competition between brother or sisters for parents’ affection and attention

How to deal with sibling rivalry

Show love and affection to each child

Give each child one-on-one time

Avoid comparing one child with another

Let children take turns

Do not accept tattling

Talk to children about their jealousy

Love and affection

Learning to love at ages 1-3 provides foundation for LIFE

Children must learn to love

Empathy- ability to understand how another person feels

Demonstrated at age 2

Self concept

How children see themselvesPositive or negativeFormed in response to the actions, attitudes, and comments of othersages 1-3 are crucial in this developmentParents are strongest influences on the development of child’s self concept

Positive relationships

Important for toddlers to have healthy relationships with parents and siblings as it shapes the relationships that children have later in lifeSigns: seeks approval and praise, turns to parents/caregivers for comfort and help, tells caregivers about significant events, accepts limits and discipline

Sleep, emotions, and behavior

Importance of adequate sleep

Avoid sleep deprivation to develop and function properly

12-14 hours each night

Sleep deprivation

Signs:

Must be awakened in morning

Tired all day

Has trouble thinking

Cranky and hard to get along with

How to get adequate sleep

Determine child’s best bedtime

Limit toys in the bed

Establish a bedtime routine

Keep bedtime pleasant

socialization

Learning how to get along with other people

Starts with own family and then branches out to other groups

Parallel play vs. cooperative play

Parallel play- playing near, but not actually with, other children (18 months up to age 3)

Cooperative play- actually playing with another child (age 3 and on)

Helping and pleasing othersAge 2- want to please others; sometimes willing to put wishes of someone else ahead of their ownAge 2 ½ - may do something for one person but not for another for no reason; they are beginning to understand fairnessAge 3- will share, help or do things another person’s way just to please themAge 3 ½ - will share toys and put up with things they don’t like in order to be with someone they like

Making FriendsImportant to normal social development

Children need to feel comfortable with others their own age.

Children need to learn how to handle having their feelings hurt, sharing, not getting their own way

Help children solve problems, disagreements; avoid imposing a solution for them

Imaginary friends

As early as two; ages 3 and 4 common

Helpful to experiment with different feelings

Seeky and Conquer

Guidelines for Guidance

Using firmness and understanding to help children learn how to control their own behavior

Learns self-discipline and a conscience

Stages of guidance12-15 months: distractions and removal from situations15 months-2 years: spoken restrictions and distractions/removal2-3 years: spoken commands and simple explanations3 years: accept reasonable, loving guidance/requestsConsistency helps children know what is expected of them and what responses they can expect from parents

Setting limits

Show an understanding of child’s desires

Set limits and explain it

Acknowledge the child’s feelings

Give alternatives

autonomy

Developing independence

Increases confidence and sense of responsibility

Patience is important

sharing

Encourage activities that require sharing and taking turns

Limit materials so that sharing must occur

Have children take turns handing out snacks

Make clear that you want them to share

Aggressive behaviors

Biting

Hitting

Address problem behavior

Try to determine underlying cause