Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts in early childhood emotional and social development.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to control when and how emotions are expressed, critically important between ages 3 and 5.

Emotional Intelligence

The understanding and management of one's emotions and the emotions of others.

Erikson's Third Psychosocial Crisis

Initiative versus guilt, where children undertake new skills and feel guilty when they do not succeed.

Protective Optimism

An optimistic self-concept that protects young children from guilt and shame, encouraging learning.

Neurological Advances

Improvements in brain structures such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus that support emotional connections.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation that comes from within a person, driven by personal satisfaction or the enjoyment of the activity.

Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation derived from external factors, such as rewards or incentives.

Social Play

Play that helps children learn how to join peer groups, manage conflict, and understand social roles.

Sociodramatic Play

A form of play where children act out various roles and themes, allowing them to explore and rehearse social roles.

Authoritative Parenting

A parenting style characterized by setting limits and enforcing rules while being flexible and responsive to children's needs.

Child Maltreatment

Intentional harm to or avoidable endangerment of a child under 18 years of age, often involving neglect or abuse.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Negative experiences during childhood, such as abuse or neglect, that can have long-lasting effects on health and development.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, which develops with maturity and experience.

Bullying

A form of aggression characterized by repeated harmful actions toward another individual, often declining with maturity.

Neglectful/Uninvolved Parenting

A parenting style where the child's behavior is ignored or not noticed; parents do not engage with the child's needs.

Gender Differences

Social distinctions between males and females, such as roles and behaviors, arising from cultural norms.

Psychological Control

A disciplinary technique involving threats to withdraw love and support, relying on the child's feelings of guilt.

Time-out

Disciplinary technique where a child is separated from others for a period to encourage reflection on behavior.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

A genetic condition affecting adrenal gland function, leading to variations in sex characteristics.