Social & Personality Development in Early Childhood

The early childhood years, from infancy through the preschool years, are sometimes called "The Play Years" of human development as children learn who they are and about the world around them via play.

  1. Personality Type

    • According to The Merck Manual of Children's Health, a child's behavior is a result of the combined influences of his/her inborn temperament and development stage. Some children are cheerful and adaptable, while others tend not to be, and certain behaviors are more common at certain ages.

    Infancy

    • At about 9 months of age, children may become anxious about separation from their parents when they realize that they and their parents are separate individuals.

    Toddlers

    • At about age 2 or 3, children begin testing limits in an effort to assert their individuality.. They begin to develop gender identity at approximately 18 to 24 months of age.

    Preschoolers

    • At ages 3 through 5, imaginary play and even imaginary friends are common and allow children to experiment with different roles and identities in a safe way.

    • Children, like adults, feel the impact of stress. With increased self-awareness, effective coping mechanisms and motivation to improve themselves, kids are better equipped to manage the holistic effects of stress, especially through prevention. By in
    • Parents and children alike can wonder which tooth will fall out of the mouth first. The event is an important milestone in growing up: another step in the progress from babyhood to big kid. While there are many variables, the order of tooth loss is u
    • Between 4 and 6 years of age, a child is honing fine and gross motor skills like balance, coordination, dexterity, and agility. These skills will allow her to master important concepts during this period, like writing, drawing, physical games and bas