EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Emotional development deals with feelings Feelings

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Emotional development deals with feelings: �Feelings about themselves, others, and the world �Emotional development follows a predictable pattern �The type of care a baby receives and the atmosphere of the home are major influences on emotional development �The foundation of a strong, healthy self-concept is trust

Building trust through care: �Attitudes about the world depend on how well babies’ needs are met Kept warm, fed when hungry, soothed when fussy Rigid feeding schedules, not soothed when fussy teaches a child that the world is unfriendly Inconsistent parenting such as no routines, no schedules sometimes loved and nurtured and other times ignored or mistreated causes a lack of trust

Emotional climate of the home: �Affection and harmony between parents is important �Babies can sense the “tone” of their parents’ feelings �Every family has its ups and downs, but warm affection should be the foundation of the family rather than anger, bitterness or mistrust

Crying & Comfort: �Crying varies with babies. �Crying is the only way a baby can get a caregiver’s attention

CHECK PHYSICAL NEEDS: �Hungry �Wet diaper �Pain, illness, discomfort PROVIDE COMFORT: �Hold and rock/walk around �Change baby’s position �Talk softly or sing �Distract with a toy

BABIES COMFORT THEMSELVES: �Pacifier/soother �Blanket/stuffed toy �Rock themselves �When older – twist their hair

Emotions in Infancy Refer to pg. 273/274 in your text and briefly describe each emotion.

Emotions in Infancy: Delight: �Starts at two months �Example: happy response to an adult making faces Elation: �By 7 months, babies show high spirits Affection: �Around 9 months babies feel affection toward those who provide their care

Distress: �Crying is used to express unhappiness and discomfort Anger: �At 4 or 5 months babies express anger �As they get older, they show anger toward people and objects �Ex. Throw toys, push things away

Disgust: �Shown by 4 or 5 months �Shows very clearly Fear: �They do not recognize threatening situations until about 6 months �Stranger anxiety starts around 8 months

Use your text… and work with the people at your table to complete a list of: 10 specific ways in which parents or caregivers can build trust in an infant Next, do the same to identify characteristics of homes with a poor emotional climate.