Social and Emotional Development

More stuff from my basement. :)

The Three Year Old - A Year of Beginnings

• more extended child to child interaction and cooperative play
• friendships, but friends are often whoever the child is playing with right now
• "You're not my friend anymore" is a common phrase.
• taking turns and sharing, but still pretty "me, me, me" oriented
• humor - They love the ridiculous, slap stick, silly language, and wild silly games.
• feels sympathetic to other children
• "imaginary companions" may appear
• feelings of independence and pride emerge
• common fears are loud noises, the dark, animals
• loves to help
• the 3 1/2 year old may exhibit a rebellious, testing attitude

The Four Year Old - An Exuberant Year

• mostly cooperative play, little solitary play
• joins most group activities willingly
• outgoing and boastful; will tattle, but is generally polite and cooperative
• sharing is easier, learning to negotiate and to compromise
• exuberance, bordering on wildness requires adults to set limits
• can be aggressive, lots of superhero worship and interest in violence
• extreme with emotions, either loves or hates things
• impatient and jealous, likes to be center of attention
• silly and playful, experimenting with swear and bathroom words
• anxious to tell family tales and new adventures outside home
• takes pride in accomplishments

The Five Year Old - The Composed, "Together" Year

• calm, serene, wants to be "good", to do what is expected by adults
• develops strong friendships, and will defend friends is they are in trouble
• like familiar things and repeating same activity
• has good judgement about what can and can't do, eager to accept responsibility
• "lying" is common, will take things that belong to others
• accepts punishment, but soon forgets
• likes humor a lot, and will share it with adults' makes up nonsense language
• has active curiosity about babies; increasingly aware of sexual differences
• able to follow through on projects that take more than a day
• the 5 1/2 year old may become brash, disobedient, overdemanding