SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS MacLeod 4.02

Emotional Development  Definition: A process of learning to recognize and express feelings and establish a unique personal identity

Early signs of emotional development Crying Muscle tension Smiling Cooing Wiggling the body

Emotional Development is influenced by…  A child’s individuality and temperament  Type of care received  Atmosphere at home

Results of healthy emotional development process  Child = self-confident adult  Able to handle stress  Empathetic to feelings & concerns of others

Ways to promote healthy emotional development  Hug, kiss, cuddle, rock, & smile  Use a comforting voice  Keep up w/ attachment objects  Set good examples of ways to express emotions  Allow child to quiet self by sucking  Play helps children learn to express emotions

Social Development  Definition: A process of learning to show self- expression and how to interact with others

Early signs of social development  Responding to a voice  Enjoying being picked up  Responding to cuddling, comforting  Smiling when a face/person appears  Crying when a face/person leaves

Social Development is influenced by…  Actions of parents and caregivers  Type of care received  Atmosphere at home

Results of healthy social development process  Child= tolerant adult who interacts peacefully with others  Listens to different points of view before acting

Ways to promote healthy social development  Encourage baby to use gestures  Provide positive examples– “thank you” & “bye- bye”  Talk to infants in a pleasant voice  Smile, show positive facial expressions  Allow other family members to interact with infant  Play helps children learn to interact with adults & other kids

Similarities between Emotional & Social Development  Affection and harmony are key elements needed for both  Both occur according to individual timing & vary from one person to the next  As trust and healthy attachments are made, people learn to handle their emotions & form healthy relationships  A person’s relationship & behaviors are influenced by emotional & social development  Both occur over the span of a lifetime