Meeting Children’s Social and Emotional Needs Chapter 10-4

Social Development The process of learning to relate to other people Interaction with caregivers, teachers, playmates and school friends Develop communication skills Become more friendly and confident Do you remember your first friend?

Emotional Development Refers to the way children express their feelings and emotions Children show love, fear, happiness and frustration from a very early age Learning to express anger and frustration in acceptable ways shows emotional growth Self-image – the development of esteem begins early

Helping Children Develop Independence and Responsibility Give help only when children need it Give praise and approval for their efforts Let children make choices Let children solve their own problems Accepting the consequences of their decisions Care for their own belongings

Providing Guidance Guidance – includes everything said and done to promote socially acceptable behavior Extrinsic guidance – factors in child’s environment that guide behavior Intrinsic guidance – self –control or self-discipline

Communication with Children Maintain eye contact during conversation Keep messages simple and brief Speak in a relaxed voice Reinforce words with actions when necessary Use positive statements Answer children’s questions briefly and truthfully

Using Positive Statements Don’t spill your milk Don’t get paint on your clothes Don’t put your feet on the chair Don’t yell Don’t push and shove Don’t interrupt when others are talking Hold your glass steady Put on a smock Keep your feet on the floor Please talk softly Keep your hands by your side Wait for your turn to talk

Guidance Techniques Modeling – set good example by your actions Setting limits – rules Consistency – same behavior expected at all times Positive reinforcement – rewarding positive behavior Redirection – focusing child’s attention on something else Prompting – questions can prompt children to exhibit desired behavior

Using Consequences Consequences – results that follow an action or behavior Logical consequences - relate to misbehaviors Time out – moving child away from others for a short period of time Appropriate for children 4 years and older Limited to 3 minutes Never threaten to withdraw love

Parenting Styles Authoritarian parents Permissive parents Parents maintain control and expect conformity Children are not encouraged to negotiate Permissive parents Allow children to set their own rules and make most decisions Without boundaries children may feel insecure Democratic parents Allow freedom within structure Children are allowed to ask questions and present their views

The Role of Play in Social-Emotional Development Play allows children to interact with people and objects Games allow social interaction and trust to form Group play promotes skills like cooperation, sharing and property rights Self-esteem develops when there is a balance of giving and receiving

Helping Children Overcome Fears Children between ages 2-6 develop many fears Most fears are of unfamiliar objects and situations Respect a child’s fear by trying to find out the reason for their fear Encourage child to overcome a fear but avoid forcing into a frightening situation Explain new circumstances before children have a chance to become fearful Distract a child’s attention away from their fear

Parenting Styles Working with a partner, complete worksheet…Discuss Complete Reflective Statements handout.