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Emotional Development

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Emotional development

Emotional development involves learning what feelings and


emotions are, understanding how and why they occur,
recognising your own feelings and those of others, and
developing effective ways for managing those feelings.

What is emotional Influences on emotional expression include:

development? • values and beliefs about appropriate and


inappropriate ways of expressing emotions that
children and young people learn from families and
Emotional development begins at birth
educators
Emotional development is a complex process that
• how effectively children and young people’s
begins in infancy and continues through adulthood.
emotional needs are usually met
The first emotions that can be recognised in babies
include joy, anger, sadness and fear. As children’s • children and young people’s temperaments
sense of self develops, more complex emotions like
• cultural norms
shyness, surprise, elation, embarrassment, shame,
guilt, pride and empathy emerge. School-aged • emotional behaviours that children and young
children and young people are still learning to people have learned through observation or
identify emotions, understand why they happen, and experience
how to manage them appropriately.
• the extent to which families are under various
Emotional expression includes several kinds of stress.
components such as:
The rate of emotional development in children and
• physical responses (like heart rate, breathing and young people varies from person to person. Some
hormone levels) children may show a high level of emotional skill
development while quite young, whereas others may
• behavioural displays of emotion
still be developing the capacity to manage their
• feelings that children and young people recognise emotions well into adolescence.
and learn to name
• thoughts and judgments associated with feelings
• action signals (for example, a desire to approach,
escape or fight).
Emotional development and Help children and young people recognise and
understand emotions
sense of self Talking to children and young people and teaching
them about emotions helps them to become more
A person’s sense of self is strongly influenced by
aware of their own behaviour, as well as that of
their perception of themselves.
others. It also helps them to better manage their
Knowing that they can be successful at what they own emotions over time.
do allows children and young people to Set limits
feel competent and confident – which, in turn,
affects their emotional development. Let children and young people know that it’s normal
and OK to have a range of emotions and feelings.
Children and young people who don’t have many Teach language and skills for dealing with strong or
experiences of success can experience difficult emotions, such as anger and frustration, in a
disappointment more often, which can lead to positive way. It’s also important to set limits on
development of a negative sense of self. By being aggressive, unsafe or inappropriate behaviours.
supported to learn to value their own strengths and
efforts, as well as those of others, children and Be a role model
young people develop resilience to bounce back Showing children and young people different ways
from challenges and hardship. you understand and manage emotions helps them
learn from your example. If you lose your temper,
How can educators support apologise and show how you might make amends.
emotional development in Be You Professional Learning

children and young people? Check out content on social and emotional
learning (SEL) and teaching for resilience in the
Providing effective support for children and young Learning Resilience domain.
people’s emotional development starts with paying
attention to their feelings and noticing how they References
manage them.
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional
Many learning communities incorporate specific
Learning (CASEL) (2018). Core SEL
programs to teach social and emotional skills. These
competencies. Chicago: CASEL. Retrieved from
skills can also be taught and learned through
https://casel.org/core-competencies/
everyday interactions.
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child
Tune in to children and young people’s feelings and
(2004). Young children develop in an environment of
emotions
relationships. Boston: Harvard University. Retrieved
Some emotions are easily identified, while others are from
less obvious. Tuning in to children and young http://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/wp1/
people’s emotions involves looking at their body
Shonkoff, J., & Phillips, D. (2000). From neurons to
language, listening to what they’re saying and how
neighbourhoods: The science of early childhood
they’re saying it, and observing their behaviour. This
development. Washington: National Academy Press.
allows you to respond more effectively to their
needs and to offer more specific guidance to help
them manage their emotions.

For more information visit


beyou.edu.au

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