social emotional development of the infants and toddlers

1. Social-Emotional Development
of Infants and Toddlers
Module 14

2. The Formative Years
• The importance of firs three years in
human development.
• Parents and caregivers plays a
significant role.

3. Temperament and Development
• Temperament- stable individual differences in
quality and intensity of emotional reaction
• NY Longitudinal Study (Thomas and Chess)
-examined temperament
• Results- Temperament is somewhat predictive of
psychological adjustment
• Parenting Practices can modify children’s
emotional styles

4. Thomas, Chess and Birch
Categories of Temperament:
• Activity level
• mood
• Threshold for distress
• Rhythmicity
• Intensity of response
• Approach-Withdrawal
• Distractibility
• Adaptibility
• Persistence

5. Structure of Temperament
• Easy child- established regular routines;
generally cheerful, and adapts easily
• Difficult child- irregular routines, slow to accept
new experiences, reactions are negative and
intense
• Slow-to- warm up child-inactive, mild low key
reactions to environment; adjusts slowly
• Some children show blend of different
temperaments

6. Infant Emotions
Infants learn emotional responses from those around them.
Social referencing – refers to infants using the emotional signals of
others to guide their behaviour.
Stranger anxiety – begins to appear around 6 to 9 months when a
fear of unfamiliar adults develops.
Separation anxiety – once infants have developed attachment to
their primary caregivers, they become distressed when they are
separated from their attachment figure. This is usually seen around
8-9 months.
Caregivers need to respond to children’s individual cues as stranger
and separation anxiety will vary from infant to infant and situation
to situation.
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7. Erikson’s Psychosocial Stage
Trust Versus Mistrust
Psychosocial Stage Period of Development Description
trust versus mistrust Infancy From warm, responsive
care, infants gain a
sense of trust, or
confidence
that the world is safe
and predictable.
Mistrust occurs when
children are neglected
or caregivers do not
respond promptly or
consistently to
children’s cues.
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8. Erikson’s Psychosocial Stage
Autonomy Versus Shame and Doubt
Psychosocial Stage Period of Development Description
Autonomy versus
shame and doubt
Toddlerhood Using new cognitive and
motor skills, toddlers
begin to assert
themselves.
Autonomy is fostered
when caregivers allow
limited choices and time
for toddlers to practice
their skills.
If the child is not allowed
to make decisions or if
they undertake actions
beyond their abilities
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9. Common Toddler Emotions
• Affection
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Anger

10. Affection
• Attached to caregivers
▫ Express affection through
 Close proximity
 Hugs and Kisses
• Attachment to beloved toys/belongings

11. Fear
• They imagine things that do not exist
• Toddlers may fear:
▫ Monsters
▫ Animals
▫ Darkness
▫ Nightmares
▫ “Bad people”
▫ Injury
▫ Gestures
▫ Startling noises

12. Anxiety
• Separation Anxiety continues into the toddler
stage and sometimes beyond.
• Many overcome SA because they feel a
caregiver’s love and know they will return!
• Increased language skill helps toddlers
understand why parents sometimes leave.

13. Anxiety
• Nightmares may begin around age 2
▫ A nightmare is a toddler’s way of dealing with
anxiety.
▫ Nightmares stem from fear of being left alone,
getting hurt, or angering adults.
▫ Nightmares tend to decrease in time.

14. Anger
• Toddlers have a desire for more independence
and have a strong will.
• Temper Tantrums = Sudden emotional
outbursts of anger commonly displayed by
toddlers.
▫ Lie on the floor, kick, and scream
▫ Happens because something doesn’t go their way
▫ Purpose is to seek attention
 Ignoring may cause the child to stop
 After the tantrum is over, give the toddler love and
reassurance