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Promoting Appropriate Social and Emotional Skills in Infants and Toddlers

by S.A. Raver
Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall
Topics: Early Years (Birth-5), Social and Emotional Milestones Birth to 1, Social and Emotional Milestones Ages 2 to 3, Social Emotional Development

Kostelnik, Whiren, Soderman, and Gregory (2006) identified several strategies parents and professionals may use to facilitate appropriate social and emotional development in infants and toddlers:

  • Respond to an infant’s signals in a way that is appropriate for the developmental level of the child.
  • Comment during routine care about objects or actions that interest the infant.
  • Use language to respond to an older infant’s gestures.
  • Wait for a physical response to key phrases from a child who is not yet talking.
  • Tell the infant or toddler what you are going to do before you do it, and pause a second or two before starting.
  • Provide play materials and interaction experiences that encourage the child to explore the environment.
  • Praise each success.
  • Encourage exploration by being physically available to the child during play.
  • Arrange social experiences between infants or toddlers when they are comfortable and alert.

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