Emotional Development From 1-3

Emotional Patterns Cycles throughout childhood Depends on 2 factors Child’s experiences (i.e. Only child will have different experiences than a child w/siblings or twins) Child’s temperament: the way the child naturally responds to other people and events Emotional Development tends to go in cycles throughout childhood. The cycles are especially pronounced in children ages one to three years old. They develop new emotions, such as jealousy, that they had not felt before. They have periods of frustration and rebellion, but they also have periods of happiness, calmness, and stability. Emotional development depends primarily on two factors. The child’s experiences and the child’s temperament. Understanding these factors can help in dealing with such issues as negativism, tantrums, or sibling rivalry.  Read description from overhead for the two factors

Emotional Development Terms Self centered: thinking about ones own needs and wants and not those of others Negativism: doing the opposite of what others want Temper tantrum: when children release anger or frustration by screaming, crying, kicking, pounding and sometimes holding their breath Self centered: thinking about ones own needs and wants and not those of others During infancy caregivers promptly meet the child’s needs and desires. By 18 months, though, caregivers begin to teach the child that some desires will not be met right away. Some requests will never be met. This is a difficult lesson for the 18 month old to begin learning. Negativism: doing the opposite of what others want Desire for independence, children just want the chance to make the decision. Temper tantrum: when children release anger or frustration by screaming, crying, kicking, pounding and sometimes holding their breath May occur until age 3 or 4. Try to help find calmer ways of expressing these feelings.

Causes of Negativism The Desire for Independence: Frustration: Say “no”: children want to decide for themselves Frustration: Toddlers want to do more than their bodies are able to The Realization of Being a Separate Person: Welcomes power of independence but still wants tight bond with caregiver

Strategies to Help Prevent Conflicts Negativism can cause battle of wills between child and parent Strategy= eliminate as many restrictions as possible Use these positive guidance techniques: Give Choices: Allow child more control Limit to 2 options Redirect the Child: Distract from the issue that is causing the negative response Encourage Talking: Help them use words to communicate how they feel Give Choices: Allow child more control Limit to 2 options ** Instead of saying “pick up your books and toys,” ask “which will you pick up first- the books or the toys” Redirect the Child: Distract from the issue that is causing the negative response Example: Julia was having trouble stacking her blocks. So her mother suggested instead that they read a book Encourage Talking: Help them use words to communicate how they feel Asking “whats wrong, Susie?” or “Don’t you like that?” Encourages children to share what they are feeling

Specific Emotions: Anger Way of reacting to frustrations Physical  verbal Not directed  direct anger to person or object responsible for frustration Do not make child feel guilty (normal emotion) Acceptable ways of handling anger: Use words Speak calmly Take deep breaths Discuss misbehavior/punishment after child has calmed Anger is often the child’s way of reacting to frustration. How children show that anger changes over the years. By the time children are three years old, they are less violent and explosive. They are less likely to hit or kick. Physical attacks give way to name-calling, pouting, or scolding. Beginning around ages 2 or 3, children or more likely to aim their anger at the object or person they hold responsible for their frustration. Caregivers should not make child feel guilty bc it’s a normal emotion. Children can learn more acceptable ways of handling anger by using the following tips: Use words: Rather then hitting or lashing out, children and adults should try to express feelings with words. Speak calmly: Even when angry, people should speak calmly instead of screaming or yelling Take deep breaths: Have a child try to take a few deep breaths to calm down Discuss misbehavior/punishment after child has calmed -Then help the child see why the action was misbehavior. Explain what the child should have done. Be sure to use a calm and loving voice when talking to the child.

Specific Emotions: Fear Phobia: an unexplainable and illogical fear More likely to develop in children who are shy or withdrawn Adult may pass own fears down to children Separation anxiety: the fear of being away from parents, familiar caregivers, or the normal environment Simply a stage children will go through Show child is attached to parents Parent should be specific about when they will return Children have specific fears at different ages. While a 1 year old might be frightened of strangers, a 3 year old might be afraid of the dark. Phobia: an unexplainable and illogical fear More likely to develop in children who are shy or withdrawn…if you think your child is developing a phobia you should speak to your pediatrician -2 of the most common phobia’s include a fear of heights or public speaking Adult may pass own fears down to children -Example: a parent who runs way or crosses the street whenever a dog comes near may cause a child to be afraid of dogs. Separation anxiety: the fear of being away from parents, familiar caregivers, or the normal environment….occurs mostly between 12-18 months Simply a stage children will go through And it Shows child is attached to parents Parent should be specific about when they will return -Example: “I’ll be back after you’ve had your nap.” gives the child a better sense of what to expect than “I’ll be back at three o’clock” ;

Specific Emotions: Jealousy 18mos.-2yrs. Becomes more pronounced Sibling rivalry: the competition between brothers or sisters for parent’s affection and attention React by: trying to get more attention Show off or act in inappropriate ways Revert or go back to baby-like behaviors Do not punish for feelings of jealousy Help Sibling rivalry: Each child feels love Set aside one-on-one time Do not compare children to one another No tattling 18mos.-2yrs. Becomes more pronounced and reaches its peaked at 3 years old. Sibling rivalry: the competition between brothers or sisters for parent’s affection and attention. Is a common sense cause of jealous. Children sometimes become jealous when a new baby is born. React by: trying to get more attention Show off or act in inappropriate ways Revert or go back to baby-like behaviors Do not punish for feelings of jealousy, instead they need more affection and reassurance. Help Sibling rivalry: Each child feels love Set aside one-on-one time Do not compare children to one another No tattling

Specific Emotions: Love and Affection Relationships between age 1-3 shape capacity for love and affection later in life Relationships between parents and children need to be strong but not smothering A child who depends entirely on caregivers for love has difficulty forming other relationships

Specific Emotions: Empathy 12-18mos. Children begin to understand that their actions hurt others Empathy: the ability to understand how another person feels Teach a child empathy: If child hurts someone's feelings make them apologize and do something toward making the wronged child feel better

Emotional Adjustment Age 1-4 children’s relationships with caregivers shows whether a child’s emotional development is on the right track Signs that a child has a healthy relationship with parents: Seeks approval and praise Turns to parents/caregivers for comfort and help Tells caregivers about significant events Accepts limits and discipline without too much resistance Another indicator of emotional adjustment is a child’s relationship with siblings. Some quarreling with brothers and sisters is bound to happen. However, the child who is continuously and bitterly at odds with their siblings, in spite of parents efforts to ease the friction, may need counseling

Promote Positive Self-Concept Self-concept: how people see themselves Self-concept vs. self-esteem Self-concept is what you think you are like as a person Self-esteem is how highly you value yourself Form self-concept in response to actions, attitudes and comments of others (i.e. if you are constantly telling your child that they are bad or stupid they will believe it) Mastery of skills (give children chance to explore their world) As they grow, children become more aware of their individual differences. The individual traits that make them special or become part of their self-concept. Self-concept: how people see themselves…and this can be either positive or negative. Children who see themselves as good and capable have a positive self-concept. Children who see themselves as a bad or unable to do tasks have a negative self-concept. Self-concept vs. self-esteem Self-concept is what you think you are like as a person Self-esteem is how highly you value yourself Children Form self-concept in response to actions, attitudes and comments of others (i.e. if you are constantly telling your child that they are bad or stupid they will believe it) Mastery of skills. For this reason it is important to give infants and toddlers the change to explore their worlds. give children chance to explore their world. Through exploration, children have the opportunity to master skills.

Discourage Negative Behavior Explore feelings: Read stories/watch videos discuss ways characters handle their feelings or problems Understand people have the same feelings and learn to cope Acknowledge Feelings: Explain why some responses are not acceptable and give alternative responses Give Choices: Gives children a sense of power and control

Sleep and Emotional Behavior Sleep problems in children is normal Fear is a frequent cause of sleep problems

The Importance of Adequate Sleep Essential to physical and emotional health Sleep deprived: lacking adequate sleep Less alert Inattentive Hyperactive To function properly 1-3 yr. olds need 12-14 hrs. of sleep each night Sleep Cycles: REM Sleep: rapid eye movement, light sleep in which dreams occur NREM Sleep: deep sleep, no rapid eye movement Children are more likely to wake up during REM sleep Adequate Essential to good physical and emotional health as adequate nutrition. Without enough sleep, children can become Sleep deprived: lacking adequate sleep Less alert Inattentive Hyperactive To function properly 1-3 yr. olds need 12-14 hrs. of sleep each night Children, like adults, go through cycles of sleep each night: REM Sleep: rapid eye movement, light sleep in which dreams occur NREM Sleep: deep sleep, no rapid eye movement Children are more likely to wake up during REM sleep Newborns have short sleep cycles and can go through an entire cycle of REM and NREM in about 1 hour. By 4 months of age, babies can sleep six to eight hours at a time. This increases to 10 or 12 hours by 6 months.

Prevent Sleep Deprivation Signs: Have to be awakened each morning Tired all day Trouble thinking Fussy, hard to get along with others Help Ensure adequate sleep: Determine a child’s best bedtime Limit toys in the bed Establish a Bedtime routine Keep bedtime pleasant Help Ensure adequate sleep: Determine a child’s best bedtime: People need different amounts of sleep. When does a child usually begin to get tired? Use that as a guide. Children who stay up past this normal bedtime may get a second wind and have trouble falling asleep. Limit toys in the bed: Toys might signal playtime rather than sleep time. A favorite stuffed animal is okay. Establish a Bedtime routine: Every night, follow the same pattern such as a bath, brushing teeth, and a bedtime story Keep bedtime pleasant: Talk and cuddle with the child. You might also try giving a soothing backrub.