Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Think back to when you were younger, do you remember the different emotions you had? Did you know that you learned a lot of your emotions from your parents or caregivers? Infants and toddlers go through many different stages of emotional development. Starting at birth where they show little to no emotion, up through toddler-hood where their emotions become more defined is a critical stage in there development. Infants begin to develop basic emotions at birth such as happy, sad, fear and anger. As they get older to start to understand and respond to the emotions of others whether it is their parent’s or caregiver. Around toddler-hood children learn about self-conscious emotions and when it is appropriate to feel guilt, shame, pride and envy.
Young infants may show signs of emotions even though their emotional life consists of two arousal states, attraction to pleasant stimulation and withdrawal from unpleasant stimulation. As children get older their emotions will become clear, well organized signals, (Laura Berk, Infants and Children Infants pg. 250). Infants are unable to describe their feelings so their facial expressions, body movements and vocalizations are the best reliable cues. Infants will learn their parent’s facial expressions and voice which will lead to the parents understanding of their child’s different emotions. Around 6 months of age the infants face, gaze, voice and body movement are well organized and will vary with different environmental events. An example of an environmental event would be if the caregiver was interacting with a joyful, happy face the baby would respond with laughter and smiles. As infants get older they may stop playing with a toy to show their excitement towards an adult giving them attention, (Laura Berk, Infants and Children Infants pg. 251). After one year you will be able to see the different smiles an infant has. The biggest smile you will see is in response to their parents. If a friendly stranger is around the baby
Young infants may show signs of emotions even though their emotional life consists of two arousal states, attraction to pleasant stimulation and withdrawal from unpleasant stimulation. As children get older their emotions will become clear, well organized signals, (Laura Berk, Infants and Children Infants pg. 250). Infants are unable to describe their feelings so their facial expressions, body movements and vocalizations are the best reliable cues. Infants will learn their parent’s facial expressions and voice which will lead to the parents understanding of their child’s different emotions. Around 6 months of age the infants face, gaze, voice and body movement are well organized and will vary with different environmental events. An example of an environmental event would be if the caregiver was interacting with a joyful, happy face the baby would respond with laughter and smiles. As infants get older they may stop playing with a toy to show their excitement towards an adult giving them attention, (Laura Berk, Infants and Children Infants pg. 251). After one year you will be able to see the different smiles an infant has. The biggest smile you will see is in response to their parents. If a friendly stranger is around the baby