Question- Describe emotional development during infancy and childhood.

Answer-

Emotional Development During Infancy

The emotional element is present in the child form his birth, as is evident from his crying and vigorous movement of body parts. These movement bear adequate evidence to the presence of emotion at birth in the child, but it is difficult to determine the emotion that is related to a particular form or pattern of the child’s conduct. Generally, before any emotional activity can be indulged in, the child should be able to interpret the stimulus. Hindrance in the fulfilment of some desire in a child leads to emotional excitation. In infancy, the child is unable to transfer his emotional reactions from one situation to another. The studies that Bridges conducted concerning infant emotional states revealed that the child’s emotions increase with experience, but they are very changeable and unstable. Anger and fear in infancy are indicative of general obstruction or pain.

Emotional Development During Childhood

Emotional development during childhood is more susceptible to the influence of friend circle than that of the family. The friends can either belong to the neighbourhood or to the school. It is in this age that the child first goes to school. Hence, his emotional development is now also open to such influences as the teacher’s behaviour and the atmosphere within the school and classroom. The proper emotions can be wilfully created in the child by the teachers setting the appropriate examples, the same measure also being effective negatively in blocking and preventing the development of undesirable emotions. Creating a proper atmosphere for the child is equally important. He must be encouraged to take interest while at the same time, the child should have a sense of belonging and should not feel a stranger in school. These are the methods by means of which ideal character can be developed in the child. In childhood, the manifestation of emotions becomes more specific and precise but the child is devoid of the impetuousity of infancy. At the same time, the child shows no reaction to many things that in infancy led him to react violently. He does not show anger at being bathed or dressed, neither does he show any fear of strangers. In this age, the child is almost invariably the member of someone or the other group, in the activities of which he participates actively

...Prev | Next...