EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Emotion is a physiological and psychological response that influences perception, learning and performance. It is a complex state of an organism involving bodily changes of a widespread character which includes breathing, pulse and gland secretion

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STAGES OF EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN

Psychologists believe that emotional development follow certain patterns immediately a child is born.
Biehler(1981) summarized the stages of emotional development in children as follows:

• 0-1 month: The child manifests generalized, undifferentiated excitement due to strong stimulation
• 1-4 months: Here, there is manifestation of social smile and expression of pleasure and rage. When one strikes a loud noise or subject the child to a sudden loss of support, the child cries. This is known as Moro or startle reflex which is common in neonates.
• 4-10 months: There is development of delight, joy, laughter, social responsiveness, signs of anger and anxiety.
• 10-12 months: There are clear expression of anger and well established fears of strangers.
• 12-18 months: Develops elation and react to fears immediately.
• 18-24 months: There is self affection and development of purposeful anger.

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Generally, at childhood(2-12 years) there is increased emotional expression in the form of temper tantrums, highly agitated fears and outburst of jealousy which can be unreasonable.
As children become older the rate,degree and intensity of expressed emotion also change.

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Certain factors may affect the rate and degree of emotional reaction in individuals. Some of these factors are:

• AGE: This is more so in the expression of fear. At a certain age a child may not show fear of darkness,animal and so on due to maturity, experience and learning.
• IMITATION: Sometimes children manifest certain emotion by imitating other adults around them. After certain age, the child can act intentionally and express his or her own emotion independent of the parents.
• SEX: Some psychologists believe females are more easily disturbed emotionally than males. This may be as a result of their unique physiological and feminine nature.
• PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS: Emotion according to some theorists is believed to be associated with activities of the brain and endocrine system in the body. If these systems are defective or not well developed, emotional development.

In both children and adults,
emotion plays significant roles in our lives. Mild emotion produces alertness and interest in the task at hand. When emotion is intense,pleasant and unpleasant it usually result in some decrement in performance. Intense emotion can also seriously impair the processes that control organised behaviour