Toddler – Emotional

1. EMOTIONS - another word for feelings • These have a wide range, are spontaneous, and

go in cycles within minutes.

2. Egocentrism (Self-Centered)• “inability to understand the view point of

others”• When a toddler thinks about their own needs and

wants and not those of others. • They think that the world revolves around them• They think that everyone thinks like them and

wants what they want.

Video – Honey boo boo

Why such an emotional rollercoaster• Egocentrism is another word for self-centered.• As an infant, their needs and wants were met,

but now as a toddler they are learning that some desires won’t be met as promptly.

• They want to be big and to do big things, but this is not always as easy as it seems.

• They want to be in control and we are taking that control away from them.

Toddler emotional roller coaster traits:

One Year Old

• Learning emotions • Possessive

Two Year Old • Very self-centered

(egocentric) • Desire for independence • Beginning a sense of

personal identity and belongings

• Possessive • Often negative • Often frustrated • Enjoys physical affection • Resistive to change

3. LOVE is an unconditional emotion first expressed toward those who satisfy a baby’s physical needs.

• They just want to please you and often feel frustrated that they can’t.

• Their love is unconditional. They love you no matter what you do to them.

• A child’s self-confidence is built by having love and trust.

• Giving hugs and telling a child that they are loved is a great way to teach this emotion. They will learn how to show it and be more accepting of it in the future.

4a. JEALOUSY• May result from a toddler not understanding that

parent’s have enough love for everyone. • SIBLING RIVALRY: competition between siblings for

parent’s attention and affection

4b. STUBBORN• When a child does what they want or what you ask

them to do in their own way and time• Common way for a toddler to show their desire for

independence.

Stubborn – “Worry About Yourself”• http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=k_9RHF8gdag

4c. NEGATIVISM• Doing the opposite of what others want you to do. • Toddler’s are developing a sense of being a

separate person• Parents start to set limits• Toddler begins the “NO!” battle

4d. TEMPER TANTRUMS• A release of violent anger or frustration exhibited

by screaming, kicking, crying, etc…• Giving into temper tantrums teaches toddlers how to get

their way, which can make temper tantrums occur more often

The Green Bean Standoff• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kruiV9P7EKg

TEMPER TANTRUMS• Outbursts of anger happen because the

child is: • Desire for independence • Testing the limits • Realizing power and freedom of being a separate person • Frustration, mad, tired, ignored, over stimulated, Hungry,

or just does not understand. • They do not know how to appropriately deal

with or express these feelings. • If you get as mad and irrational as your child

during the tantrum, it’s like throwing gas on a fire.

Handle the tantrum by (List 2):

• 1. Remaining calm and resist raising your voice • 2. Acknowledge the child’s feelings but emphasize

why the demands cannot be met • Don’t bother with long explanations • give a short, firm and direct statement

• Holding the child might help • 3. Ignoring the child • 4. Resist giving in to the tantrum

• Silently Removing the child from the area • Keep the child safe

• After the tantrum say, “I am so glad that you are feeling better. Now that you have calmed down……” • If the child makes an obvious choice to not throw a future tantrum, praise them.

4e. FEAR

• A natural emotion that can help a child avoid dangerous situations

• It is very common for a toddler to have fears. • Afraid of strangers and bad people (like ones on TV in

books) • Adults encourage belief in “nice” characters, like Santa,

but not much is said about frightening make-believe things like monsters, witches, ghosts…..

• Noises, dark, animals, storms, noises, getting hurt,

4e. Imitation Fear• When a fear is passed on to a child through

observation and imitation of the individual’s actions• i.e. a mom runs away from a dob and the child learns to

do the same

4e. Separation anxiety• Separation anxiety is the fear of being away from family, caregivers,

or familiar environments and items. • Begins about 8 months and Peaks from 14 – 18 months. • It can even affect a toddler’s sleep patterns.

• To ease Separation Anxiety: • Prepare the child in advance about the separation time • Explain to the child the activities they will be doing • Have a meet and greet with the caregiver or at the location • Tell the child when they will be picked up, where, and by whom • Tell the child where you will be while you are gone • Do not prolong the goodbyes. Create a short ritual and follow it every time • Do not sneak out • Play peek-a-boo and other similar games • Practice predictability, routines, and consistency.

*Might be stronger than in infant stage

4e. Stranger Anxiety• Stranger Anxiety: the fear of unfamiliar people,

usually expressed by crying

*Might be stronger than in infant stage

5. Erickson’s Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubta. Eric Erickson’s toddler stage of emotional

development. a. Autonomy is INDEPENDENCE (wanting to do things

on their own)b. Caregiver:

a. Allow autonomy within reasonable expectationsb. Still has main responsibility of meeting the child’s basic

needsc. Not providing independence causes Shame and

Doubt.

5d. Encouraging Autonomyd. A caregiver can encourage Autonomy by: •Allowing them to try things on their own •Provide opportunities for success •Recognize efforts made •Let them make choices.

NO NOTES: SELF – CONCEPT• SELF – CONCEPT is how a toddler sees themselves • They are becoming aware of their individual differences and those traits

that make them special and unique. • This can be positive or negative • Born with 100% self-concept and now it begins to change

• This is highly influenced by the environment and the treatment of their peers.

• Young children believe what others say about them and others opinions influence how the child behaves. The child tries to mimic these parts.

• Build a positive self-concept in a toddler by: • Giving unconditional acceptance• Encouraging self-help skills• Provide opportunities for success• Refrain from fixing things they do • Telling them positive specifics about themselves and their actions

Toddler – Social Development

1. Toddlers are naturally SOCIAL • They like to be around and associate with other

people. • We are all friends.

2. SHARING• SHARING is one of the first social skills that

children learn, but it is not easy for them to understand

• A caregiver can teach this concept by: • Redirecting the child • Limiting materials • Never force a child to share. Let it be their choice or

idea. • A caregiver should avoid interfering in children‘s

disagreements unless danger is occurring so the children can learn to problem solve on their own.

3. PLAY - • They have SHORT attention spans, are not

patient, and struggle to play cooperatively with others

• They bounce around activities and types of play

4. Types of Play

• Play is a child’s form of work. Here, they learn and grow in all areas of development.

• A) Parallel Play is playing next to, but not with other children. This is the most common form of play for a toddler.

• B) Solitary Play is playing alone. • C) On-Looker Play is watching everyone play,

but having no interaction