Social and Emotional Development

Social and emotional development means: The development of emotional communication. Understanding of self, ability to manage one's feelings . Understanding and knowledge of other people. Relationships, interpersonal skills and moral behavior.

Emotional Development Importance Emotions are central in all aspects of human activity. They are vital to cognitive development because emotional reactions lead to learning that is essential for survival. It is also vital to social behavior because babies‘ emotional reactions like crying, laughing and smiling affect others' interests in powerful ways.

Similarly the emotional reactions of others regulate children's social behavior. Much research indicates that emotions influence children's physical well-being. Constant psychological stress in children is associated with various health difficulties. Emotions are also important in the emergence of self- awareness.

Infants can not describe their feelings as adults do Infants can not describe their feelings as adults do . So, they use emotions to communicate. In addition to facial expressions, some body movements also provide information . International studies have suggested that infants from various cultures show almost the same facial expressions.

In the initial 2 years of life, babies show basic emotions like happiness, sadness, anger and fear. Basic emotions are so universal that even non-human primates display them.

Beside basic emotions, human beings are capable of another set of emotions called the self-conscious emotions. As the name implies, these emotions include shame, pride, embarrassment, guilt and envy.

Birth - 6 months Show signs of almost all basic emotions. Smiles socially and laughs. Express happiness more when interacting with familiar people.

Matches adults' emotional expressions while communicating face-to-face . Develops awareness of self as a knower and actor; like understanding that self is separate from rest of the world

7 – 12 months Anger and fear increase, especially the case of anxiety. They feel secure with caregiver and builds strong caregiver relationship. Babies can detect the meaning of others‘ emotional signals . They feel much attached to familiar caregivers.

13 - 18 months Can play with familiar adults and children. Develops awareness of self as an object of knowledge and evaluation, like understanding the psychological and social characteristics of self. Understands that others' emotional reactions may differ from one's own. Can start feeling empathy.

19 - 24 months Display self conscious emotions but the intensity depends on monitoring and encouragement of adults. Adds more words in the vocabulary for talking about feelings. Learns to tolerate absence of familiar caregiver.

Can use words to describe peer's behaviors. Learns to use own name or personal pronouns to describe self. Can sort others into categories based on age, sex, and other characteristics. Starts to develop self control.

2 - 3 Years Begins to develop self concept and self esteem. Understands causes, effects and behavioral signs of basic emotions. Learns to cooperate. Empathy increases.

3 - 4 Years Improves emotional self-regulation. Decreases non-social activities and plays interactively more. Forms first friendship. Begins to prefer same-sex playmates.

5 – 6 Years Improves ability to interpret, predict and influence others' emotional reactions. Expresses empathy more by language. Solves social problems better. Knows many morally relevant rules and behaviors.

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