Parenting & Child Development 6.01 Understand the physical, emotional, and social development and care of children ages three through six.

Emotional characteristics of 3 year-olds Learning: cooperation and consideration Less frustrated More willing to take directions from others Loves praise and acceptance Loves to talk Can be reasoned with and controlled by words

Emotional characteristics of 4 year-olds Self-centered Can be defiant, impatient, loud, and bossy with other children and adults Other times very loving and affectionate, because they need and seek approval Wants to see himself/herself as separate from parents Vocabulary and language skills show great improvement over toddlers Test out the sound of words Active imagination leads to fears

Emotional characteristics of 5 year-olds Views himself/herself as a whole person Eager to explore but may be fearful of unfamiliar people, places, experiences Emotionally impulsive Strangeness is a fear when they go to kindergarten---strange people and place Empathy for others

Emotional characteristics of 6 year-olds Period of emotional turmoil Crave praise and approval Often stubborn and quarrelsome At their worst with their own parents Resent being given directions Experience rapid mood changes Can enjoy music or dance lessons and organized sports

Social characteristics of 3 year-old children People are important Begin to engage in cooperative play Work in small groups Parents are not all-powerful in the child’s social life Seek friends on their own Prefer some children over others

Social characteristics of 4 year-old children Form friendships Cooperative play: Groups of 3-4 Sharing toys and taking turns Bossy and inconsiderate Family is still more important than friends Constantly seek approval Parents still important for comfort.

Social characteristics of 5 year-old children Outgoing and talkative Play is complex; groups of five or six Fights break out less Quarreling results in name-calling and wild threats Develop more respect for others’ belongings Social acceptance from peers Do not want to be thought different; they fear ridicule

Social characteristics of 6 year-old children Social relations: friction, threats and stubbornness Want everything, and want to do things their way Same sex friends more important Enjoy group and organized teams Tired of playing? simply drop out of a game Have no regard for team effort