Early Childhood Emotional Development

Early childhood is a time when children develop at exponential rates compared to the teenage and adult years. As children learn to interact with the world, they make emotional connections with each experience. The emotional experiences from this time form a core part of a child's self-image.

Identification

• Unlike the physical changes that occur in childhood, a child's emotional development is harder to monitor. As children mature, issues surrounding self-concept, gender identity and social status are developing along the way. The way they behave is usually a clear indicator of what they are dealing with on an emotional level. Early childhood is a foundation-building period; the lessons learned at this time will form the core of a child's personality and outlook on life.

Function

• A child's personality or temperament has a significant influence on emotional development. Children who are more adaptable may progress more smoothly, whereas those who are less responsive to new people and new environments may have a tougher time. During infancy and throughout childhood, children's emotional needs are conveyed through their behavior, since verbal communication is limited. The parent's ability to understand and tend to these needs may very well determine the overall emotional health of the child in later years.

Self-Concept

• Throughout early childhood, every experience a child has works to further develop self-concept. Interactions with parents, other children and adults all contribute to a sense of self as the child experiences social and emotional interactions with others. Infants begin to express feelings of separation anxiety as they come to bond with the parent, whereas children who are 2 to 3 years old look to establish a sense of independence. This need for a sense of independence marks the beginning stages of self-concept in a child.

Gender Identity

• A child's sense of gender identity begins to take shape as early as 18 months to two years of age. It's at this time that a child begins to associate his body image with gender. The roles that go along with gender are also incorporated into a child's gender identity. Parents serve as role models in this respect, meaning the child will incorporate aspects of the parents' conduct into a sense of gender identity. As a result, emotional characteristics of the parent become a part of the child's gender-identity development.

Social Interaction

• Social development in a child begins to take shape between ages two and three as they begin interacting with other children. It is at this time that children learn how to resolve conflicts and how to share belongings with others. These experiences provide children opportunities for emotional development within a social setting. Issues surrounding self-concept and gender identity will also come into play as they learn to interact with other children.