Personal Research Journey

The Social-Emotional Part of Childhood Development

 The reason why I chose the social-emotional part of early childhood development is because I believe how we as caregivers deal with the beginning years of a young child’s social-emotional development will help determine how the child will deal with his or her social-emotional needs throughout the child’s entire lifetime.

I believe, as human beings, our social-emotional developmental needs begin the process of domination at a very young age (maybe as young as newborns). I believe that being able to communicate and or socialize with others is the focal point of our very assistance. “From conception to a child’s first day of kindergarten, development proceeds at a pace exceeding that of any stage of life…Human relationships are the building blocks for healthy development” (The Michigan Department of Community Health, 2003, p. 5).

Acknowledging the fact that all human beings are a member of the human race, with various backgrounds, it is my belief that all young children’s early childhood developmental needs are essentially universal.   I grew up in a home that it was understood that children should be seen and not heard. (I am thinking that I can get a few witnesses to this phrase).  I think that in the United States of America, this phrase was more common than not. In other words, I think it was more of an era than it was cultural. I thank most parents who did practice this phrase meant well.

I believe home should be the of every child’s test pilot for social-emotional interactions.  When I started school, I was very shy. My speech was not of good quality, which at that time further heightened my shyness as well as having a fear of speaking in the presence of others. Because of my insecurities I quickly learned that if I sat in the very back of the classroom and made as little noise as possible no one would ever notice me…it work!!   I believe that if caregivers are aware of the young child’s social-emotional developmental needs the caregiver will be more willing to help young children develop healthy social-emotional habits.

If not becoming too personal, I am very much interested to learn from any of my colleagues if any similar experiences during growing up years thank-you.  

                                                     

 

 

 

Reference:

Michigan Department of Community Health. (2003). Social

Emotional Development in Young Children.

www.mi-aimh.msu.edu