You might be more aware of how your child is developing physically but there is a lot happening in their emotional development as well.
Talking Points:
- Stage 1: Underdeveloped Emotions. In the first 1-6 months babies have not yet developed complex responses. In this first stage they will begin to show basic emotions in response to various situations.
- Stage 2: Personality Development. In months 6-12 children begin to develop more of a personality as they begin to recognize themselves and experience mixed emotional states.
- Stage 3: Complex Emotions. Once children are 18-24 months they are developing more complex emotions like jealousy, while understanding relational concepts like caring and sharing. They are discovering their preferences and responding to others’ emotions while beginning to perceive a sense of identity.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Think about your kids. What are some similarities and differences in their emotional development or their expressions of emotions?
- What are some basic emotions that babies can show in the first 6 months? Why do you think these emotions are “basic”?
- What are some complex emotions you were surprised to see develop in your kids? How did you respond to those emotions?
- Is it important for children to learn to understand emotions in others around the same time as they are developing their own emotions? Why or why not? How do you think that can impact a child’s development as a whole?
- How can emotional development influence a sense of identity? Why do you think the sense of identity begins developing around Stage 3 instead of earlier?
- How does it benefit you as a parent to understand the emotional development of your kids?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
