Emotional and Social Development of Infants Emotional Development

Emotional and Social Development of Infants

Emotional Development • Emotional development is the process of learning to recognize and express one’s feelings and to establish one’s identity as a unique person. • A child with healthy emotional development becomes an adult with self-confidence, can handle stress and shows empathy toward others.

Social Development • Social development is the process of learning to interact with others and to express oneself to others. • Healthy social development results in an adult who shows tolerance for others, can communicate well and listens to other points of view before acting.

Attachment • Attachment is a bond between parent and child gained through physical contact. • Babies have a basic need for physical contact including being: – Held – Cuddled – Rocked

Failure to Thrive • A lack of love and attention may result in a baby’s failure to thrive or marasmus. This is a condition in which the baby does not grow and develop properly. • If these babies are not helped, they will become unattached. As adults they will be unable to develop caring, meaningful relationships with others.

Baby’s Temperament • A baby’s temperament is his or her style of reacting to the world and relating to others. • There are 9 different ways of looking at a baby’s temperament: • Intensity—how strong or weak a child’s emotional response is to events or other people • Persistence—how determined a child is to complete an activity • Sensitivity—How strong the reaction is to the baby’s feelings

Baby’s Temperament Continued • Perceptiveness—how aware the child is of his or her surroundings • Adaptability—the child’s ability to adjust to changes • Regularity—whether or not the child follows the same pattern each day • Energy—how physically active a child is • First Reaction—how a child faces a new situation • Mood—is child generally cheerful or cranky?

Why do Babies Cry? • Babies cry to communicate. Usually when a baby cries, it is because he or she is hungry, tired, needs a diaper change or to burp, is too hot or cold or wants human contact. • To comfort a baby, try: – Holding or rocking the baby – Moving the baby to a different position – Softly talking or singing to the baby – Offering a new toy to distract them – Giving them a pacifier to suck on—babies find this comforting

Other Reasons Babies Cry • Colic—this is when a baby is extremely fussy every day. This usually happens in the evening and nighttime and is worst at about 6 weeks of age. • Stranger Anxiety—this is a fear of unfamiliar people which develops around 8 months of age.

Social Development by Month 1 month old—baby responds to calming voice or tender touch 2 months old—baby smiles 3 months old—baby looks at whoever is talking 4 months old—baby laughs 5 months old—baby babbles and doesn’t like to be alone 6 months old—baby likes to play peek-a-boo 7 months old—baby prefers parents and siblings over others 8 months old—baby may crawl room to room looking for company • 9 -10 months old—baby loves attention and playing with others • 11 -12 months old—baby is sensitive to the emotions of others and generally tolerant of strangers • •