Summary

So in summary, emotional development is strongly influenced by early experiences. Two to three year olds who are trusting , trying to be more independent, aware of what they are trying to do and their consequences and who may have some control over their bodily functions are likely to experience normal emotional development. Factors that influence this are parental, family and environmental. Attachment is an essential component of emotional development. Insecure attachments may have a significant long term effect. However, the child's temperament, intelligence and resilience can be protective factors.

Emotional Development Summary - explore the timeline below to see how babies and children develop emotionally over time.

  • Emotional Development Summary

  • Usually content in close contact with parent.

    Utterly dependant on others.

    Are not aware of themselves as separate from parent.

  • Cries for their needs to be attended to.

    Different cries for pain, hunger and discomfort.

    Quietens in response to human voice.

  • Quietens when picked up

    Smiles and is responsive to others.

    Has 'conversations' with carers.

    Begins to explore the difference between objects and self and others and self - e.g. by touching toys, own face and parents face and body.

  • Smiles at most people.

    Use sound to interact e.g. cooing.

    Shows positive excitement around food time, nappy changing, bath and other normal routines.

    Reaches out to human face and stares at parents face happily during feeds.

  • Shows eagerness and anger and pleasure by facial expression, vocalisation and whole body movements e.g. flapping arms when sees beaker or bottle of milk.

    Plays alone contentedly.

    Very interested in everything around them.

    Turns immediately to parent voice across a room.

    Shows strong preference for main carers.

    Laughs and squeals.

    Screams when annoyed.

    Smiles at themselves in the mirror.

    Friendly with strangers but more reserved with them.

  • Very interested in people, objects and events happening in their environment.

    Reserved with strangers from about seven months and may show anxiety or fear if parent is out of sight.

    By nine months will need reassurance, cling to and adult and hide their face from strangers.

    'Separation anxiety' is emerging.

  • Shy with strangers.

    Affectionate with certain people.

    Enjoys seeing themselves in a mirror.

    Imitates actions that other people dog claps hands, waves goodbye and /or hello.

    Fist bumps or high fives or blows kisses.

    Are capable of a wide variety of emotional responses including fear, happiness, humour and anger.

    Shows rage when thwarted.

    Recognised others emotions and moods and express their own.

    Seeks attention by vocalising rather than just crying.

  • Emotionally 'up and down' and still dependant on almost constant adults for reassurance.

    Physical restless and curious about the environment.

    Needs protections from the dangers this brings but will get frustrated with the limitations this brings.

    Relatively easily distracted.

  • Emotionally still very dependent on familiar carer.

    Alternates between needing reassurance like a younger child and resistance to being stopped getting into danger or from playing e.g. when picked up and put in buggy or car seat.

  • Still little understanding of the need to 'wait', very active and restless.

    No understanding of common dangers.

    Less easily distracted.

    Throws tantrums when bored, frustrated, and tired.

    This is normal and they are less easily distracted than before.