Emotional Development Stages of Childhood

Emotional development ages birth to five
Emotional development of infant
Children grow, and develop at different rates, however most pass through developmental milestones during a predictable period, in order to move forward with developmental stages. Starting from birth babies are learning who they are everyday through interactions with others. From birth until death the interactions a person has with others can affect permanent everyday behaviors. Babies learn through love and guidance. “Loving relationships give infants and young children a sense of comfort, safety, confidence, and encouragement.” (Benorach, MD, 11). Thus help children develop trust, empathy, compassion, and a sense of right and wrong. Newborns are completely dependent on adults for their basic needs, and although unable to directly communicate newborns are able to express their needs through crying. “At six weeks old a baby learns to smile, by smiling the baby is able to signal that he/she wants to interact or play with you” (Berger,2013).
By three months babies start experiencing new developmental stages, they are able to see close objects more clearly, and are able to follow moving objects better. They are also able to begin looking in directions where sounds are coming from. At three moths babies begin learning to make cooing sounds, and will use those sounds to gain attention or response from others. At this stage of development babies cries become less frequent and more specific, (diaper change, hunger, pain), making them easier to identify. At six months a baby will begin babbling, and making “bbb” sounds. At this stage the baby will begin to identify and turn head when you say his/her name, they also start realize that when someone leaves the room tha...

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...d are more likely to tell you when they feel sad or mad rather than acting those emotions out. During this stage a child will begin to develop sexual exploration of his/her body, this is normal and children will react to this stage depending on how the parent/guardian reacts. Also at this age children are easily influenced by others, and may act what he or she see at school, home or on television. It is very important for parents to set good examples and be positive role models for children at this stage, also monitor what children watch or hear on the television or radio. “Emotional development is a very important part of a person’s life; many factors at these stages play a role the development of the adult.” (Benorach, MD, 11). Only traumatic memories are remembered before this stage of development. Any major trauma may affect coping skills of child later in life.