Component 3: Self-regulation
Learning Goal 3.a: Children develop the ability to express and regulate their own emotions.
By 9 months, most children:
- Demonstrate the ability to self-soothe (calm down) through behaviors such as babbling, thumb/fist sucking, or rocking
- Calm down when talked to, held, or rocked by a preferred caregiver
- Express a range of emotions (e.g., joy, excitement, or sadness) through facial expressions, gestures, and sound
By 18 months, most children:
- Self-soothe when offered a special toy or blanket in combination with caregiver nurturance
- Look to a trusted adult for comfort when upset or stressed
- Demonstrate joy, pleasure, and excitement in learning to do new things
By 24 months, most children:
- Accept a security toy or blanket to self-soothe
- Demonstrate familiarity with routines
- Demonstrate strong emotions, such as anger, through actions (e.g., falling down on the floor and kicking their legs—throwing a “tantrum”) and calm down with caregiver assistance
- Express emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness, or anger) through singing and pretend play (in addition to “tantrums”)
By 36 months, most children:
- Calm themselves down after a temper tantrum in a reasonable amount of time with caregiver assistance
- Comfort themselves by seeking out a special toy, object, or caregiver
- Use words to express their emotions
By 48 months, most children:
- Are increasingly able to regulate their impulses in certain situations (e.g., waiting their turn for a favored toy)
- Can express emotions using words, signs, or other communication methods
- Take pride in their accomplishments
- Continue to use physical ways of expressing themselves when their feelings are intense (e.g., throwing things, pounding)
By 60 months, most children:
- Control strong emotions most of the time in an appropriate manner
- Persist at a difficult task with decreasing amounts of frustration
- Can name emotions using words, signs, or other communication methods
