Emotional Development in Children: A Comprehensive Guide
Emotional Development in Early Childhood
Early in life, pain and pleasure are inextricably linked to the satisfaction of instinctual drives and basic needs. The development of affection in children has the following characteristics:
Characteristics of Emotional Development in Children
- Intense Emotional Experiences: Children experience emotions intensely, easily shifting from laughter to tears. This is due to their developing nervous system and their egocentric perspective. Their limited understanding of the world and constant discoveries contribute to their emotional volatility.
- Overt Emotional Expressions: Children’s emotions are often expressed outwardly and intensely. This is due to their underdeveloped cortical control, reasoning abilities, and willpower.
- Fleeting Emotions: Children’s feelings of pleasure and pain are often short-lived. They are easily distracted and their memories of emotional experiences fade quickly.
- Less Complex Emotions: Compared to adults, children’s emotional states are less nuanced, rich, and deep. However, negative events can significantly impact their developing personalities.
- Emotions Dominate Logic: Emotions govern a child’s actions and thoughts before logical thinking emerges around age 7.
- All-Encompassing Emotions: Children’s emotions consume their entire psychic landscape, leaving little room for other thoughts or feelings.
These characteristics are more pronounced in younger children and gradually diminish as they mature.
Stages of Emotional Development
A baby’s emotional development progresses from general to specific. Initially, emotions are global states linked to physiological needs. As they grow, children experience a wider range of emotions triggered by their environment.
Pleasure and Joy
Around two to three months, babies begin to express pleasure and joy, primarily in response to the human face. Other triggers include bathing, playing, tickling, and observing adults. By the end of the first year, they also show joy upon recognizing their reflection. These emotions are expressed through smiles, limb movements, cooing, and laughter (from around six months).
Rage and Anger
From a young age, children need to develop frustration tolerance. Anger often arises when their desires are thwarted. Common triggers include limitations, inability to obtain objects, interference with movement, and lack of attention. Responses include screaming, kicking, hitting, and, around eighteen months, self-punitive behaviors like headbanging.
Anxiety and Fear
Fear is a fundamental emotion in childhood as children navigate an unfamiliar world and depend on others for safety. Triggers include sudden or unexpected events, changes in routine, strangers, and darkness. Responses include crying, hiding their face, and whimpering.
Curiosity
Curiosity emerges early on and is stimulated by anything new. It manifests in facial expressions and vocalizations.
Affection
Around eight to nine months, children begin to recognize and reciprocate affection, particularly towards their primary caregiver. Imitation plays a crucial role in learning to love and be loved. Stimuli include caregivers, favorite toys (for children aged 0-3, their own body is a favorite toy), and, from around eighteen months, other children. Responses include hugs, kisses, and smiles.
Disgust and Sadness
occurs when not satisfied their basic needs, are very close to anger, fear and anxiety. When you begin to differ from the physiological. Stimuli: emotional deprivation, maternal improper relationships, the pain from the sixth month because teething ..
– Presumption: about eight months, “joy for yourself.” Stimulus: being observed and celebrated in their actions. Answer: repetition of the celebrated.