The Stages of emotional development

Helping emotional development in a child can be done in a number of ways. Firstly helping the child form bonds of affection, which are strong feelings of affection towards the people who have the most meaning to them; contact from skin to skin like when breast feeding; eye contact, the baby gazes into the parent’s eyes; familiar sounds, they recognise their mother’s voice and they respond more readily to it than any other voice. Even smells that are familiar to the child, like the mothers breast will strengthen their feelings. Mickel has these bonds with his parents and is also especially close to his brother. Having good home conditions like good behaviour around the child will develop good emotional development. Good training at home will encourage the child to have good self control, which is the amount of control they have over their emotions, like their temper. Giving lots of cuddles and love also develops emotional development and giving the child their time and attention and growing companionship. Mickel’s mum and dad give him lots of hugs and kisses and their time.The parents should make their love continuous and undemanding e.g. wanting to hug the child regularly and without being asked. Letting the child do things themselves sometimes will make them more independent and they will learn from mistakes. Events which may cause stress in children include death of a pet, child abuse, separation from a parent and a new baby in the family can make the child feel insecure. These don’t apply to my child and he isn’t stressed. The parents discussing stressful events with the child will help them understand and reduce or prevent them becoming stress. If a new baby is expected the child should be involved with the birth, be talked with about the baby, offered plenty of affection and say how important the new baby is within the family. If the child gets chances to express their emotions though play, like role play it will encourage him or her to develop personality and independence and work through stressful situations. For development of emotions the child should be valued as an individual and be reassured and helped to develop confidence. The child should also get the same amount of attention and love as another sibling is getting or will result in them feeling left out and try to seek attention. (Child Development by Marshall and Stuart)

Emotional development can also be slowed down. A reason for this is the influence the child is under. Children pick up on other people’s behaviour, and if it’s bad it’s likely they will follow in the same path and act inappropriately. Not bonding with a child will make them feel insecure and discomforted, so not holding them close, skin on skin and no eye contact will develop this. The environment may slow down their development, along with home conditions and the life experiences they go through. Not enough affection and not encouraging their good behaviour as well. If they develop fears they start to become stressed and insecure, so starting new schools, unhappiness around the home or a death can effect their development, and they may develop negative emotions. Leaving the problem won’t solve anything. Sibling rivalry is another way for emotional development to be affected; not giving enough attention or affection will make things worse and not getting them involved if a new family member is going to arrive. Along with not giving the child opportunities for being independent or be valued as an individual it will hinder development. The child shouldn’t be over protected because it prevents them from becoming independent. So picking up the child when she’s not crying, always interfering, being over-anxious about every movement should be avoided. Not giving the child opportunities to meet other children will develop shyness and teasing about it will make it worse. Moving house, break-up of family or starting at playgroup or school can cause stress. The child might not understand what is happening and won’t be able to control their feelings.