Social-Emotional Development of the preschooler Chapter 17 Page 404

Developing Social Awareness Social awareness grows during preschool years Becoming more dependable and can complete simple tasks at home

Taking the Initiative More independent Improved abilities Limitless energy Never ending curiosity Talk a lot and loudly Initiative = ability to think or act without being urged Guilt = blaming self for something done wrong

Children develop initiative when they are allowed to ask questions Experiment Explore Adults do need to step in and set limits

Showing Responsibility Takes time and calls for experience Adults can help by: Become responsible by setting examples Give children chances to learn Follow through with praise or other reward for success

Learning Gender Roles Important part of social awareness Learn how to fit into certain social groups Gender-role learning is learning what behavior is expected of males and females Children (age 3yrs) know there is a difference between boys and girls

How Does Gender Role Develop? Learn roles by how others treat them How they see other in their male and female roles Sex typing – treating boys and girls differently Difference in clothing worn Toys received Ways parents react to boys and girls Other families don’t distinguish a difference

Cultural Factors Society’s view of male and female roles is not as clearly defined Traditional gender roles: Male more aggressive, economic head of family Female as wife and mother who stays home

Sexual stereotyping – statement or hint that men and women always do or should do certain tasks Found in books, TV shows, some conversations Different cultures/groups hold different beliefs about gender roles

Extending Social Relations Increase social learning by: Sharing, controlling anger, thinking of other’s feelings, and joint efforts Adults still important Serve as role models Self-control, manners, model relationships, etc

Other Children Become More Important Siblings and peers are more important Peers – unrelated children who are near the same age Have fun playing with other child, while others do not

Making Friends Depends on child’s friendliness Ability to follow group rules Lack of dependence on adults Prefers friend of same gender May be self-centered view on friendship Friends play with, help you and share 2 -3 form a closed circle Too many friends may not get enough attention

Learning from Play Groups Get new ideas Play with more than one child Become less self-centered in peer groups Children learn that friends are fun

Feeling and Controlling Emotions Still react to common childlike stressors Stressors = situations that cause stresses Short separations from adults Fear of monsters

Dependency Emotional dependency = the act of seeking attention, approval, comfort, and contact Preschoolers are more likely to accept comfort from strangers May ask an adult to button their coat, etc

Fear & Anxiety New fear and anxieties replace previous ones Boys have a greater variety of fears Girls have fewer fears but more intense

Fears Common Features Fear of the known Death by fire, auto, accident Vacuum cleaner Fears of physical injury Death by fire, auto, accident Fear of pain Medical or dental Anxiety of general nature Tornado, thunderstorm

Anger and Aggression Begin at 10 months Hit and bite less but threaten and yell more Increased language skills help Anger and aggression towards siblings and peers more than adults

Causes of Anger and Aggression Children often use aggression to get their way Or intentional hurt someone Get to the bottom of it Get help if needed

Jealousy Begins when people realize they must share with others love, attention, possessions and time Most common time for jealousy is when a new brother or sister is born Babies take time, they translate this as love

Repressed jealousy = jealousy that is not directly expressed and may even be denied Show this through nightmares or physical problems such as upset stomach, headaches, fevers and a change in appetite