Supporting Healthy Emotional Development

"Of all the things adults involved with a child must do well, tending to a child's healthy emotional development is the most important, writes Karen Miller in Simple Steps: Developmental Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year Olds.  "All the toys and well-designed activities in the world cannot compensate for a lack of loving interactions that foster a sense of security and well-being in young children.  Helping children develop emotional and social skills enables them to enjoy the company of others and to feel good about themselves and who they are in a group...."

"If a child's needs are responded to quickly and gently, he learns that he is valued.  On the other hand, if a child gets no response from a parent or caregiver, or a negative response, he stops trying to communicate.  He learns to feel he doesn't matter.  When a child doesn't feel safe and doesn't have basic trust in the individuals around him, he must always be 'on guard.'  That takes all of his mental energy, and he is not free to explore, experiment, communicate, and develop.  When this child feels valued just for being and feels safe and secure in the loving protection of a few familiar individuals, he can thrive and develop cognitive, physical, and social skills."

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