What Are The Stages of Emotional Development in Children?

From the first day an infant enters the world he begins a journey of learning how to relate to other people and deal with various emotions. Although children develop at different rates, most parents want to know what to expect at different ages regarding emotional and social development. That's why information on childhood development can be helpful, such as the developmental theory of psychiatrist Erik Erikson, who wrote "Eight Stages of Development" in 1956. Erikson's theory contends that if children don't have their basic needs for security met early in life, they can become distrusting and fearful.

  1. The First Two Years: Learning to Trust

    • The first two years of life make up the nurturing stage, during which a baby develops a bond of security and trust. Socially, a baby begins to recognize his mother's face at around 4 to 6 months of age. At 7 months, a baby learns his first social games, such as "patty-cake," as well as how to give and take items. After 9 months, a baby begins to distinguish strangers from familiar faces. From age 1 to 2, babies express wider ranges of emotions. As children begin speaking their first words, they typically initiate communication and interaction with others.

    The Defiant Twos: Developing the Will

    • Two-year-olds are excited about a newly discovered sense of control. This stage is filled with rapid mood shifts, stubbornness, tantrums and negativism of wanting to do it "my way." It's also a time of clinging to parents, as many toddlers go through what's known as separation anxiety. As they approach their third birthday, they begin to socialize with their peers and identify with the parent of the same sex.

    Preschool Years: The Play Stage

    • The preschool years (ages 3 to 5) are the "play age." In this stage, children broaden their social life, playing with other children as they learn to cooperate with peers. Preschoolers start becoming competitive and proud of their achievements. Fantasy makes up much of their active play. However, it's also a stage when they can develop several fears, such as being afraid of the dark.

    School Years: Competency

    • The school-age period (ages 6 through 12) is a transition from fantasy and free-form play to group games and sports. During the school-age stage, children begin feeling guilty about wrong choices. They learn rules of how to relate to others, as well as board game rules and rules of exclusion and inclusion. A healthy school-age child should be able to express emotions. Around age 5, children learn to share and keep secrets. Children ages 7 and 8 become more aware of their private thoughts and feelings. They begin comparing themselves with peers and are concerned about their abilities.

    Adolescence: Searching for Identity

    • Adolescence is usually a turbulent time when kids want to be free of their parents, yet are still dependent on them. Approval from peers takes preference over pleasing parents. It's a roller-coaster ride of emotions as they struggle to find their own identity. While they sometimes act adult-like, at other times they resort back to childhood. Although adolescence often begins in a stormy way, relationships generally improve, with 14- to 16-year-olds trying to earn more adult freedoms and responsibilities, such as driving. As they grow closer to graduating from high school, they should become more socially adept and skilled at resolving conflicts.

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