3 important emotional development stages in young children

The first year after birth is a time when babies develop their emotions very quickly. If you pay close attention, you will discover a lot of interesting things.

A few months after your baby is born, you will notice your baby's behavior starts to change quite quickly. From an infant that can only suck, sleep, cry, and poop, he or she will begin to curiously look around, react to your words or even "show an attitude" when not satisfied. Children's emotional development in the early stages of life is the foundation of later social and communication skills. Please join aFamilyToday Health to continue to see the following sharing to better understand this exciting baby's developmental stage.

Emotional development in infants

Right from the time we were born, we possessed a certain number of skills and reflexes. But there are many habits and behaviors that will be shaped through observing others and how we perceive them. This is the cornerstone of emotional development and we will continue to learn these throughout life. The foundational skills in emotional development not only affect mental health, but also provide a different perspective on learning and discovering new things. If they receive the best development, they will easily overcome all difficulties in the future and know how to ask for help when needed.

Your baby's emotional development stages

Children's emotional development often goes hand in hand with stages of growth :

1. 1 to 3 months old

During the first few months of life, babies are just starting to cry and are getting used to feeding and toileting. During this period, children also begin to realize the existence of the world around them. At this time, everything for the baby is completely new and the baby is learning to get used to it. At this stage, your baby will:

Gradually see everything clearer than before

Begins to feel familiar people

Respond to you if you cuddle and comfort your baby

Understand the safety of your parents' presence and stop crying when picked up

Become focused when hearing your voice

Expression when someone talks to your baby.

2.3 to 6 months old

From 18 to 24 weeks of age, babies begin to realize that they are an individual. When you get used to the world around you and everyone, your baby will begin to explore his or her hands and become comfortable with acquaintances. At this stage, your baby will:

Smile when you see something interesting

Begins to recognize parents and caregivers

Desires to communicate and may ask you to cuddle by crying

Start waving hands and feet

Recognize the difference between two people and know they are separate individuals

Can spot himself in the mirror and laugh

Look at other children and see familiarity

Begins to "respond" when called by your first name.

3.6 to 9 months old

At this point, the child will begin to explore the surrounding space and understand the nuances of communication. Babies not only show better emotions but also understand emotions with the same nuance:

Love the game peek-a-boo

Begins to understand when you are referring to your baby and grasp certain nonverbal cues

Understand the meaning behind an angry face or a loud voice

Develop the concept of owning and asking for your toy to be taken back if it is taken

Rely on familiar people when strangers approach

Suck your thumb or fist to calm your emotions.

4. 10 to 12 months old

Near the age of one, he begins to understand his home and the concept of family. Babies begin to express their emotions in a wider range, wanting to do things on their own and seek confirmation from people close to them:

Show intimacy, close to you

Begins to like humorous pranks or actions

Cooperate with you in several activities

Starting to get angry when things go wrong

Seek your confirmation to do something or start clapping yourself

Starting to have a sense of independence.

Signs that your child is having emotional development problems

During development, your baby may face two following problems:

Failure to control your emotions, leading to frequent anger

Inhibiting emotions, not understanding social signals or nuances.

Both of these things can be seen in all babies: sometimes a baby may be angry about a particular thing or they want to “get into the shell” and enjoy playing alone. However, the problem is only really serious if:

Baby is always worried and scared with everything. For example, just a small interaction with a stranger can confuse and cry for a long time. The baby may even lose sleep, startle or stop feeding .

Babies don't care at all about anything that happens around them. You give your baby a new toy, take him to a new place or teach him a new game, he is also indifferent, does not show any emotion.

Babies don't want to move a lot or just stare at their favorite toy without going to pick it up.

These problems can also be noticed through symptoms such as frequent headaches, stomach problems, indigestion ... Even, a child's indifference can hide a hidden disease. .

How to promote infant emotional development?

First, you should start with communication. Whenever your baby wakes up, talk, cuddle, and comfort your baby.

Let them know that there's nothing wrong with being angry, but need to know how to express it. You can teach your baby this by showing him how you handle problems. For example, when helping your baby find toys, say your way out loud to let them know.

Use simple facial expressions when talking with your baby. Avoid displaying negative emotions such as sarcasm or grief because your baby is not old enough to understand.

If your baby is often angry, find a way to distract or do something funny, funny to calm him down .

Help your baby feel safe and encourage him to explore new things.

The baby's emotional development process is greatly influenced by parents. Babies will learn a lot from those around them and you will be a role model when they learn about the world around them and how to behave. As a parent, help your baby develop the right emotions by creating the happiest and most comfortable environment. When everyone behaves happily together, the baby will learn it by himself.