Toddler – Emotional

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 revolvesaround 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 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 • Learning emotions • Possessive

3. LOVEis 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 • Doingthe 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 *Might be stronger than in infant stage • 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.

4e. Stranger Anxiety *Might be stronger than in infant stage • Stranger Anxiety: the fear of unfamiliar people, usually expressed by crying

5. Erickson’s Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt • Eric Erickson’s toddler stage of emotional development. • Autonomy is INDEPENDENCE (wanting to do things on their own) • Caregiver: • Allow autonomy within reasonable expectations • Still has main responsibility of meeting the child’s basic needs • Not providing independence causes Shame and Doubt.

5d. Encouraging Autonomy d. 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

Toddler – Emotional