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Emotional and social development: one to two

Your child enjoys social situations, but is still very dependent on her caregiver and can become clingy when she feels insecure.

She protests when people disrupt her activities or routine. At this age, she has little control over her emotions. By eighteen months, she may start to seek attention by hitting you or being “naughty”.

She plays next to, not with a child, cannot wait her turn and grabs objects from others. By eighteen months, play becomes more cooperative and she may start to accommodate a playmate.

According to the psychologist Erik Erikson’s stages of psychological development, this stage of development is called: Autonomy versus shame and doubt. Children learn to exercise will, to make choices and to control themselves - or they become uncertain and doubt that they can do things by themselves. Your task is to allow them the opportunity to assert themselves, to encourage them to explore their capabilities and to gain a sense of independence.

(Ilse Pauw, Health24)

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