Social and emotional development of children
Unlike learning to sit, crawl, and walk, emotional and social development extends throughout childhood and even into adulthood. Children learn to find their way in society. In this section, you will learn how you can support your child's development.
Children learn social skills best when around others. Feelings play an important role right from the outset. They can indicate unmet needs such as hunger, pain or boredom. Step by step, children learn how to recognise, name and deal with their feelings.
Social and emotional development in stages
Babies cry when their needs aren't being met. A two-year-old child could draw attention to this by becoming agitated. In many cases, older children have already learned to recognise needs at an early stage. They can already express, meet or postpone their needs.
Here's how parents can help their children express their needs:
- Take your child's positive and negative feelings seriously. Give your child attention when they need comfort.
- Explain to your child why they might have certain feelings.
- Show your child how to deal with feelings without hurting or offending others or themselves.
- In particular, encourage calmer children to accept and show their own feelings.
- Be open in showing how you deal with feelings yourself and how they support you in conflict situations.
Fundamental trust
Babies develop fundamental trust in the first year of life. During this time, a baby learns that caregivers recognise and fulfil their needs. The needs of babies are, for example, food, security, closeness and protection.
A will of their own
Up to the age of four, children increasingly discover their surroundings with their own will. This is particularly evident in the "autonomy phase" (also known as the "terrible twos"). This is a period between the ages of two and three. Your child will always reach their limits. That's why they need support, comfort and guidance.
Before they attend school, children make important progress and learn what is "right" and "wrong" in our society. Parents should give them the necessary security during this period as well.
You can also find more information about your child's mental health and development on the following websites: