EMOTIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

First, let's start with the basic definition of emotions. An emotion is a subjective response to an experience. When a situation arises, your brain takes in information about what is happening, known as perception, which triggers the internal part of the brain where your emotions are created, known as the limbic system. While this is a very simplistic and basic description of how it works, the point is to note that emotional responses are based on how the person views the situation, which does not always include thinking clearly or including all the possible facts. But these are just our basic responses; emotions eventually become way more complex and complicated. How does that happen? It goes back to our childhood interactions and how parents influence our emotional development and help to regulate our emotions. As infants and toddlers, we look at our immediate models, our parents or caregivers, to see how to react to various situations. We store those experiences and refer to them as we encounter new experiences. Emotional development on the other hand, is considered as a uniquely integrative and psychologically constructive feature of psychological growth in infancy and childhood. The role of emotions in behavior and development, and the nature of emotion itself, are discussed in relation to structuralist and functionalist approaches to emotional development. Some social and emotional skills: • Displays self-control. • Expresses feelings with words. • Listens and pays attention. • Pride in accomplishments. • Has a positive self image. • Asks for help when needed. • Shows affection to familiar people. • Aware of other peoples feelings. By:Oluwapelumi Atanseiye @pearlumie_