Toddlerhood

What’s going on at 2 and 3? Developmental Tasks Elaboration of locomotion - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhq86U6VUvA followed by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pceio4hOmFQ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JXrbTlqsGw&feature=related Language development Fantasy play Self control

What is “play?” Play, according to Jean Piaget (1951): “actions that are an end in themselves and do not form part of any series of actions imposed by someone else or from outside.”

Go and play… How did you feel while playing? Did your feelings change over the course of the time? What did you notice about your thinking? Was your imagination engaged?  What occurred socially?

The Importance of Play It allows for development in: Cognitive domain Physical domain Social domain Some structure, more unstructured is appropriate Parallel, rather than interactive, play is more frequent. Fantasy play is prominent

Self control - http://www. youtube. com/watch Self control refers to the child’s ability to control her impulses and attain his goals. Emotion regulation helps facilitate these abilities. Infants began to develop emotion regulation skills through caregiving interactions. Comforting physical contact Soothing sounds Elimination of stimulus causing discomfort

Helpful Parenting Guidelines Culturally consistent parenting Warm and responsive Consistent, age appropriate limits Inductive

Some unhelpful influences on emotion regulation (The Role of the Family Context in the Development of Emotion Regulation. Social Development; May2007, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p361-388, 28p) PARENTAL RESPONSES Punitive response to emotion is correlated with escape and revenge seeking Minimization of emotions leads to avoidance as a coping strategy Dismissive or negative response is correlated with increased anger in the parent/child interaction Problem-focused responses help kids develop ER strategies

Facilitating toddler self control Teaching empathy/Increasing sensitivity to others Perspective taking Role modeling Discipline should be: Clearly linked to unwanted behavior Short duration Rational Consistent Use of language Talk about the emotions Modify them through distraction or explanation Give suggestions on how to manage them Model ways of responding to emotions Reinforce prosocial behavior

Problem solving Read the “Lilly” scenario Do a go-round with each person contributing an observation of the scenario Discuss adult responses that would promote emotion regulation Link adult responses to strategies from lecture Plan an activity you could have parents do to develop skills to promote emotion regulation

Emotion-coaching John Gottman on Speaker’s Forum http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=15530 Emotion coaching What is it? Benefits in adult relationships? Benefits for child development? Questions provoked? Criticisms provoked?

Parenting Styles & Characteristics- What are some thoughts/beliefs you have about effective parenting? Baumrind’s formulation of parenting styles-Demandingness & Responsiveness Authoritative Authoritarian Permissive, democratic-indulgent Permissive, rejecting-neglecting

2. PARTheory: Parental Acceptance-Rejection Theory-Roehner An intercultural approach-400 studies in 60 nations Acceptance and rejection are defined in culture-specific ways. Perceived rejection is emphasized Four behavioral patterns Warmth/affection Rejection Cold/unaffectionate Hostility/aggression Indifference/neglect Undifferentiated rejection

Acceptance is linked with: Higher self-esteem Psychological independence Trust Positive world view

In groups, design a toy or an activity Consider the “developmental milestones,” paying attention to the changes over the two years of toddlerhood. You may focus on one domain or several. Incorporate 3-5 milestones. Be prepared to explain how the toy/activity will promote development of a toddler.