That expanding understanding of themselves and others develops with age. Here is a table of social and emotional milestones that children typically experience during early childhood.
Table 9.1 – Social and Emotional Milestones
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Typical Age
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What Most Children Do by This Age
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3 years
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- Copies adults and friends
- Shows affection for friends without prompting
- Takes turns in games
- Shows concern for a crying friend
- Dresses and undresses self
- Understands the idea of “mine” and “his” or “hers”
- Shows a wide range of emotions
- Separates easily from mom and dad
- May get upset with major changes in routine
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4 years
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- Enjoys doing new things
- Is more and more creative with make-believe play
- Would rather play with other children than by self
- Cooperates with other children
- Plays “mom” or “dad”
- Often can’t tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
- Talks about what she likes and what she is interested in
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5 years
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- Wants to please friends
- Wants to be like friends
- More likely to agree with rules
- Likes to sing, dance, and act
- Is aware of gender
- Can tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
- Shows more independence
- Is sometimes demanding and sometimes very cooperative
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Many things influence how children develop those milestones as how they view themselves and how they interact with those around them changes. Let’s look more at these.