Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

Introduction

Emotions are inevitable part of human life but they undergo many variations to get stable and moderate with the passage of time. Emotional development of a child begins after a few weeks of his birth and it refers to how a child comes to understand his own instincts as well as other's feelings, identify other's emotions and manage his emotions in a balanced manner

Emotional Development of Mike and Kevin

Mike is 3 years old and his brother Kevin is 10. As they both belong to different age groups, both would be experiencing a different level of emotional development and its relative phases.

Emotional self-Awareness

Mike has developed his feelings about personal autonomy and self. He easily recognizes his primary emotions like pleasure, anger, sadness and fear but can't come up with more complex emotions. He easily depicts his wills and desires but at times he cannot make sense of his contrasting feelings. He has a limited vocabulary for labeling his emotions.

Kevin can easily understand his feelings and emotions ranging from primary to complex. He has gained full insight into naming his every emotion. He can realize what he is opting for and can easily distinguish his conflicting feelings on a specific issue.

Recognition of Other's Emotions

Mike can easily identify emotions of other people by analyzing their facial expressions and vocal tone. But he gets confused when someone is having a contradiction between facial expression and vocal tone.

Kevin's ability to depict other's emotions by using contextual, physical and situational elements has strengthened with his growing age. Kevin easily detects his friend's jealousies over his success in exams and Kevin.

Regulating their Emotions Mike is highly expressive for whatever he is feeling. He cannot manage his emotions as he cannot control his anger or laughter with his will. He faces great emotional swings as he might be crying at one moment but laughing in the next moment.

Kevin moderates his emotions amply and suppresses them in an unfavorable situation to avoid discomfort. He has the ability to manage his feelings and hide intriguing instincts accordingly.

Four Affective Reflections Used with Children

Affective reflection means comprehending a child's feeling on a particular issue and then naming it with the help of reflection. Here are four affective reflections used to help children identify their emotions.

Situation 1: Mike has made his puzzle successfully. He is dancing around.

Affective Reflection: Mike you seem proud.

Mike: Oh yeah! I am.

Adult: You are ...