Social-Emotional Development

Overview  Definitions  Temperamental Differences in Infants  The Infant’s Growing Social World  Learning to Trust  Showing Attachment

Definitions to Know

Social-Emotional Development- Type of development involving a person’s disposition, interaction with people and social groups, and emotions. Disposition- A person’s general mood. Temperament- The tendency to react in a certain way to events.

Initiate- To begin Siblings- Brothers and sisters Mistrust- The most serious form of not trusting, which includes a lack of trust and feeling of suspicion Attachment- Closeness between people that remains over time

Temperamental Differences in Infants

Temperament is the tendency to react in a certain way, such as in a cheery or grumpy way. Experts think temperament is partly inherited It is believed that a person’s temperament may be due to prenatal conditions and ease of birth. A baby’s temperament often shows by two or three months. In many children, but not all, temperament stays the same for years.

Some experts rate characteristics of a baby’s temperament. These ratings place the babies into 3 groups

Easy Baby has a regular habit and routine (Eating, Sleeping) They respond quickly to a new situation Cheerful  Easy babies usually get off to a good start with their parents.

Slow to Warm up These babies take more time to adapt to new situations

Difficult Irregular in the routines and habits They often withdraw or protest or even scream when facing new situations A baby can be difficult because many parents feel like they are doing something wrong, causing them to be stressed

Statistics Researchers found that: 4 in 10 babies are slow to warm up 1 in 10 are difficult A few babies cannot be grouped because their temperaments vary from day to day

The infants growing social world

Infants are not truly social at birth, they learn to be social. Social refers to a relationship between 2 or more people Social development is how other people affect the baby & how the baby affects others, by the first year it is well underway

The infants growing social world Interacting with others: Babies understand social messages by the way others talk to, look at, or hold them They send signals through cries, coos and smiles beginning as early as 2 weeks old 3-6 months they get better at understanding social signals & can distinguish between strangers & caregivers

The infants growing social world Interacting with adults: Babies thrive most when they are held, talked to, cuddled, and comforted, loving parents provide babies with their first social interactions & help their baby’s mental and social development When loved ones care for and show interest in babies, they learn to understand and trust others, this expands their social environment

The infants growing social world Interacting with children: Babies enjoy being around siblings & other children, the mimic them and learn from them Older children learn to love and care for others from infants, all children benefit from these relationships

Learning to trust

Erik Erikson, famous psychologist, studied trust as one aspect of personality development. He viewed personality as ever-changing from birth through old age. Family and other factors being major influences. Described personality in 8 stages that cover a persons lifespan. Each stage presents a specific developmental change for the person

Learning to trust During each stage, the person faces an important task that must be met. Each task can have a positive or negative outcome. No one is 100% in any stage, but the more successful you are, the better. For infants, the first stage is the Trust VS Mistrust stage, where infants learn whether to trust you or not

Learning to trust If a babies basic needs are met with consistency, then they feel the world is a good and happy place. Two key factors are essential in whether infants learn to trust. 1) Must trust by having a consistent environment which includes sameness routines, caregivers and surroundings 2)Having their basic needs met promptly each time, including feedings, clothing, warmth, sleep, cleanliness, cuddling, playing and communicating with others

Showing Attachment

Terms to Know Bonding Developing a feeling of affection Parents come to love their baby right after birth Parents > Baby

Terms to Know Attachment Closeness between people that remain over time Babies whose needs are met come to love their parents. Children realize these ties after six months of age. Baby > Parent

Importance of Attachment Brain development research indicates that healthy brain development depends on attachment Overcoming stress throughout life is easier for those babies who formed strong attachment early in infancy Babies develop an attachment to those who care for them Attachment is closely related to fear of strangers and fear of being left alone.

Attachment Behaviors Attachment behaviors are actions one person demonstrates to another to show closeness to that person. Includes trying to stay close to, or clinging to the adult. Smiling, crying, or calling are other attachment behaviors. Babies who cry the loudest are not always the ones with the strongest attachment.

Attachment can be a good thing for an infant. For a healthy social-emotional development, attachment is important. Everyone needs to love and be loved, no matter what age. Attached babies tend to explore their worlds through play more than babies who are not attached.

Cycle of Trust Parents meet baby’s need Baby is happy Parent is happier and more relaxed

Cycle of Mistrust Parent doesn’t meet baby’s needs Baby is demanding and fussy; seems less loveable to parents Parent is unhappy and disappointed

Development of Attachment Behaviors Approximate AgeAttachment Behavior 1 monthBaby can recognize familiar and unfamiliar voices 2 weeks to 2 monthsBaby smiles 3 monthsBaby gives joyful movements, such as kicks, coos, and gurgles. Baby may even laugh 4 to 5 monthsBaby becomes still and breathing becomes shallow when unknown people are close 7 to 8 monthsBaby cries when a stranger is nearby or when the baby is left alone

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