3.4 social-emotional development

ecological systems theory

a child’s development is influenced by various environmental systems

authoritarian parenting style

strict parenting characterized by high expectations and rigid rules (obedience, discipline, punishment)

permissive parenting style

relaxed parenting characterized by low expectations and few rules (more freedom for kids, warmth + love)

authoritative parenting style

balanced approach characterized by high expectations and warmth + support (clear rules, encouraging, open to child’s news/wants)

temperament

traits kids are born with influencing how they respond to their environment (activity level, emotions..)

imprinting

animals instinctively form strong relationships to the first moving object they see after birth (mostly in birds)

contact comfort

sense of security/relief when infants are touched by their caregivers

separation anxiety

distress response in young kids when separated from their primary caregiver (child’s growing attachment)

attachment styles

patterns of behavior describing how children form emotional bonds with their caregivers

secure attachment

when children feel confident that their caregiver will meet their needs

avoidant attachment

when children avoid seeking comfort from their caregivers (they avoid closeness) (their caregivers may be emotionally unavailable)

anxious attachment

children are overly clingy and anxious about separation from their caregiver, stemming from inconsistent caregiving

disorganized attachment

children display inconsistent/confused behavior towards their caregiver due to trauma or abuse

adverse childhood experiences (ACES)

traumatic events (abuse, neglect..) that occur BEFORE 18 and can have long-term impacts on health and wellbeing