Your child's social and emotional development has significant implications for current and later social functioning, for educational, and employment success.
With poor emotional and social development, he is at risk of poor relationships with peers, academic problems, of later involvement in crime, of developing physical health and adult mental health problems.
Key to emotional and social development is your child's early relationship with you.
Your four year old child...
At five years...
At six years...
Your child develops a sense of self-reliance and independence when he is given plenty of adult support and encouragement. The key to your child gaining independence is often the time spent alone helping you or being encouraged by you.
...I remember learning a practical skill tying up my shoe laces as a result of having had a small amount of time with my mum…..you too might remember such a time...
The best way of giving your child this independence is to allow him to take on as much responsibility as he is ready for. This means asking if he would like to pour out his own drink.
However, you need to be patient when you give him permission to take on this responsibility. This makes him feel good about his attempt to be self-reliant.
Do not criticise him of having a go at being independent. This will make tasks feel like a chore and he will lose confidence.
A positive environment is crucial if your child is to grow in confidence and security. The main needs of your child are…
Your child needs unconditional love. This means learning he’s loved and valued as he is, not what he does. Knowing that he’s loved and he will be loved gives him lifelong security. If you deprive him of this kind of love, he will have problems in later life forming relationships.
A positive environment which offers unconditional caring is welcoming of him and in such an environment he is not worried of failure or doing something wrong.
A positive environment for your child also makes him feel he is being protected and cared for. He comes to understand that you are always there for him to turn to for reassurance. When he feels secure this way, he is more likely to be independent and self-reliant.
Your child needs opportunities to socialise and play with other children. This is important because he will develop his social skills through being with other children. There are now plenty of opportunities for him to socialise for e.g. parent-and-toddler groups, playground and activity clubs etc.
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