{"id":37425,"date":"2018-02-19T13:34:57","date_gmt":"2018-02-19T21:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.mainelyseo.com\/cdi-upgrade\/?page_id=37425"},"modified":"2019-07-23T16:39:02","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T23:39:02","slug":"social-emotional-development-in-children-and-adolescents","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/childdevelopmentinfo.com\/child-development\/social-emotional-development-in-children-and-adolescents\/","title":{"rendered":"Social & Emotional Development in Children and Adolescents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Social\/Emotional development starts with the bond between the child and its caregivers.\u00a0 The primary bond is usually with the mother and with increasing participation of fathers in the care of infants, co-bonding is seen more frequently.\u00a0 Bonding starts with the first gaze between the mother and child after delivery.\u00a0 That starts the process that forms an attachment between a child and primary caregiver(s).\u00a0 Healthy attachment is essential in that it provides the child with a sense of safety and security.\u00a0 It was previously thought that this bond must be formed during the first months of life, but we now know that this bond can form at later stages of development as has been observed in the bonding between adoptive parents and children who were adopted later in life.<\/p>\n

When a child is hungry, has a dirty diaper or feels insecure, he communicates by crying.\u00a0 When the parent figures out what the child needs and meets that need, a sense of basic trust is built and the child feels safe and secure.<\/p>\n

Gradually parents begin to understand the differences between the ways a child cries and can respond more quickly and calmly to the child\u2019s physical or emotional need.\u00a0 This indicates that the parent is becoming attuned to the child.\u00a0 As children grow and develop, it is vital that parents remain attuned to the unique needs and characteristics of a child so they can respond to the child appropriately with understanding, reassurance, and guidance and help them learn how to be able to cope and regular their emotions independently. \u00a0Children vary in their ability to regulate emotions due to their temperament but when they experience empathy and soothing from their parents and are taught how to self-soothe and coping skills they will become better at this skill and as this happens their brain will actually be “re-wired” so that they will now automatically respond to situations more appropriately.<\/p>\n

Another aspect of social\/emotional development is the formation of self-concept and self-esteem.\u00a0 Early on children are very attuned to the reactions of others.\u00a0 Smiling comes naturally.\u00a0 If a parent laughs at something the child does, they smile and usually repeat it over and over.\u00a0 If children and see frowns or are yelled at, they will withdraw.\u00a0 When children struggle to learn a new skill, and they receive encouragement and assistance, they feel supported and keep trying until they master the skill.\u00a0 They will spontaneously praise their accomplishment.\u00a0 They then feel confident and are more likely to try new things.\u00a0 If on the other hand, the child is given negative feedback such as \u201cthis is easy, what\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d and do not receive any assistance, they will most likely experience frustration and will feel defeated and think they are incompetent.\u00a0 A child who has had this experience will most likely easily give up on new tasks and show anger towards themselves.\u00a0 They may even refuse to try.\u00a0 Thus, one child develops a positive self-concept and the other a negative self-concept and low self-esteem.<\/p>\n

Social\/emotional development also includes the development of a moral code.\u00a0 Children gradually learn what behaviors are acceptable in their environment and what behaviors are seen as unacceptable.\u00a0 Children will learn quickly when feedback includes why the behavior is unacceptable and what the expected behavior should be in a given situation.\u00a0 The ability of children to develop these skills changes as they grow and develop.\u00a0 Parents should know what is considered age-appropriate for their child so that they don\u2019t expect too much or possibly too little.<\/p>\n

Finally, humans are most definitely highly social.\u00a0 Children are naturally social.\u00a0 Some seem to be better at picking up social cues than others.\u00a0 Parents should not only encourage social interaction but frequently engage in social interactions with their children.\u00a0 Parents may need to help some children develop age-appropriate empathy for the feelings of others.\u00a0 They should prepare children for new social situations and teach them how to interact appropriately.\u00a0 To be socially accepted children need to learn the manners expected in their social environment.\u00a0 For some children, these come almost naturally while others will need help and encouragement.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>Tips for Parents<\/div>
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A Few Things Parents Can Do To Promote Social\/Emotional\u00a0Development<\/h3>\n