Social-Emotional Development
Birth to age 2
Temperament
Temperament: the quality & intensity of emotional reactions
Measured based on factors such as ...
- Passivity
- Irritability
- Activity patterns
Passivity- how involved child is with his/her surroundings
Irritability- tendency to feel distressed
Activity patterns- levels of movement
Caregivers must be sure to adjust to the temperaments of infants.
Attatchment
Attachment: strong emotional connection that develops between people
Attachment behaviors include...
- Cooing
- Kicking
- Gurgling
- Laughing
- Crying
- Clinging
Separation anxiety is another behavior.
Child will protest and show distress.
Remember to never take SA personally.
Changes over Time
Changes occur both socially and emotionally.
- General excitement (smiling, wiggling)
- General distress (crying)
- No tears when child cries
3-6 months
- Respond with smiles and laughter
- Make happy sounds
- Babies begin to notice and smile at other babies
- Tears begin to appear
- Different cries
6-12 months
- Express happiness, joy, and surprise
- Develop fear
- Attachment
- Separation anxiety
12-24 months
- Anxiety develops
- Take more interest in other children
- Awareness of abilities
Birth-3 months
Newborn babies don't have very refined emotions.
3-12 months
Babies become actively involved with their caregiver.
12-24 months
Children become more interested in exploring.