CHILDHOOD EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT and EXPOSURE to VIOLENCE Presented by Ian Campbell 08 February 2014

Emotional needs. What are they? Secure relationship with parent/caregiver Receive modelling to manage emotions Receive emotional support when experiencing difficulty Sense of belonging Feel accepted, approved of, and Clear expectations, routines and boundaries

Development of Emotional Competence

Infancy 0 to 1 Regulation of Emotions Expression of Emotions Self-soothing Relies on carer to ‘scaffold’ during stress Expression of Emotions Non-verbal emotional expression increases to stimuli under own control Managing emotional relationships Social referencing Turn taking: peek - a - boo

Toddler 1-2: terrible twos Regulation of Emotions Increased awareness of own emotional responses Irritable when limits placed on autonomy Expression of Emotions Increased verbal expression of emotions Self consciousness: shame, pride, coy Managing Emotional Relationships Anticipates feelings towards others Rudimentary empathy and altruism

Pre-school 2-5 Regulation of Emotions Expression of Emotions Language: self-talk and communicates feelings. Regulates emotional state – if internal working model is intact Expression of Emotions Increases pretending in play and teasing. Experimental. Managing Emotional Relationships Insight into other’s emotions Aware false emotion can mislead others. Pretend cry. Gain ?

Kindergarten 5-7 Regulation of Emotions Expression of Emotions Regulates self consciousness e g. Shame Less involvement of caregiver to regulate emotion Expression of Emotions Presents cool emotional front to peers Managing Emotional Relationships Increased use of social skills Complies with agreed emotional scripts. Quiet if someone crying, happy at Birthday party

Middle Childhood 7-10 Regulation of Emotions Expression of Emotions Autonomous regulation preferred to caregiver Distancing strategies to manage emotions - control Expression of Emotions Increased use of emotional expression to regulate relationships Managing Emotional Relationships Aware can feel multiple emotions about same person Uses this skill in multiple contexts to maintain relations

Secure Attachment Secure child + secure adult Child is autonomous Adult is autonomous Parenting is responsive, and Family style is adaptable

Anxious-ambivalent Anxious-ambivalent child + Preoccupied adult Child is angry/clingy Adult is preoccupied Parenting is intermittently available –poker machine parenting Family style is enmeshed

Avoidant Avoidant child + Dismissing adult Child is avoidant Adult is dismissing Parenting is rejecting, and Family style is disengaged

Disorganised Disorganised child + Fearful adult Child is clingy/avoidant Adult has approach/avoidance conflicts Parenting is abusive or absent Family style is disoriented