Chapter 13 Slideshow Flashcards
What happens if a person doesn’t have a good sense of self-awareness?
Children can’t develop close relationships and adults can’t show intimacy.
When does self-awareness develop?
At birth, and develops throughout life.
Self-awareness in toddler years involves…
- Seeing oneself as a unique person
- Recognizing oneself
- Developing early feelings of self-esteem
How do toddlers demonstrate their understanding of being a unique person?
Body awareness
* Sense awareness
* Gender identity
* Object possession
* Family names
* Assimilate their culture
Progression in mirrors
15-18 months- Toddlers recognize themselves in mirrors.
18-24 months- point to reflection, say their own names, point to themselves in recent photos.
Early Feelings Of Self Esteem
- Worth- toddlers must feel loved even when they make mistakes.
- Competence- toddlers achieve goals.
- Control- finding out what does and does not work.
- Autonomy- making mistakes, trying again, and practicing what works.
How can caregivers support self awareness?
Pay attention when a toddler wants to talk
* Provide a place for possessions and encourage toddlers to take care of them
* Encourage toddler to self-feed and help with hygiene
* Let toddlers help around the house
* Plan activities to increase self-awareness (e.g., play with them in the mirror, show them pictures of
themselves, play pretend)
Define autonomy
a form of self-governance in which a toddler seeks to do their own will
Erickson’s 2nd Stage: Autonomy VS Self-Doubt
Erickson believed that caregivers should recognize toddlers’ desire to be more independent
and allow them to do what they can at their own pace
* Toddlers’ sense of autonomy is damaged when caregivers don’t let toddlers do things by
themselves, intervene too quickly, or criticize attempts to be autonomous
Toddlers interacting with children
Toddlers interact with other children
* In early toddlerhood, interactions are brief
* Toward the end of toddlerhood, they may play together
* Toddlers are possessive of toys and belongings
* Toddlers may explore other children like they would an object
When does attachment to a caregiver begin?
At infancy, and is completed within 12-18 months.
Secure Attachment
Toddler will seek out and maintain proximity to a special caregiver
* Toddler will seek this caregiver’s protection and comfort if a situation is perceived as
dangerous or distressing
* After 18 months of age, toddlers are more apt to cooperate even when adult-child goals differ
* As adults, securely attached children are able to clam themselves, are confident in their
abilities, form lasting and positive relationships with others, and are well-adjusted
Insecure Attachment
Lack consistent care from primary caregiver
* Toddlers are confused or feel they are not worthy of care or protection
* More vulnerable to the impact of trauma
* May lag behind in learning because they are spending so much time trying to get their needs
met
* Damaging to self-esteem and mental health
Anxious-Ambivalent Attachment
Toddlers show distress when unfamiliar people are nearby even when caregivers are
present. Toddlers stay close to their primary caregiver and react with great distress during
separation. Toddlers’ reactions upon reunions are ambivalent and resistant.
* Caregivers misidentify needs, respond to needs inconsistently, and respond to the same
needs in different degrees
* Toddlers are very clingy, and separation anxiety lasts longer than usual. Throughout life, they
are easily frustrated
Anxious-Avoidant Attachment
Toddlers show no preference for primary caregiver versus stranger. During separations,
toddlers show no distress. Once caregivers return, toddlers ignore and avoid their caregivers.
* Caregivers respond to physical needs, but not promptly. They do not respond to emotional
needs, and ignore delight or excitement shown by the child
* Toddlers see no need to communicate needs and appear “mature” during separations
because anxiety is not exposed. As adults, they prefer to be alone; they value their
independence and rarely admit to having positive feelings for others.
Disorganized Attachment
Toddlers are inconsistent in attachment behaviors. They make poor eye contact with
caregivers and other adults.
* Caregivers rarely respond to needs of the child, and when they respond, it doesn’t fit the
need. Caregivers may be severely depressed or on drugs.
* Often cases of neglect or abuse
* As toddlers, they often freeze in their footsteps for no apparent reason. As adults, they do not
form lasting intimate relationships and are anxious and depressed. Throughout life, their
behaviors seem different from day to day
How To Practice Social and Emotional Skills
Use pretend play as a chance to talk about feelings
* Make a homemade book about feelings
* Use songs to practice feeling words
* Make a cozy place in your home
* Suggest ways to manage strong emotions
* Develop a feelings vocabulary
When do fears increase quickly?
Two years of age.
When do nightmares start?
Two years of age.
When does separation anxiety start to dwindle down?
30-35 months.
Temper Tantrums
Sudden emotional outburst of anger that may confuse toddlers
* Often appear around age 2
* ~5 minutes
* Meant to attract attention, but are usually not aimed at any one person
* Adults may try to avoid temper tantrums in many ways, including making sure all needs are met
(hunger, tiredness, etc.), giving them a job if you are bringing a toddler into a situation where they
may be bored, or finding fun ways to gain their compliance.
* Once a tantrum has started, allow it to continue and don’t try to reason with the child
