Social and Emotional Development
To be human is to be social. As we go through life, we learn that there are different levels of social exchange-from a casual pleasantry with a total stranger to much deeper relationships with family and friends. For a child, this is hard developmental work.
At this age, social and emotional development is often a study in contradictions. You'll be delighted with your child’s increasing displays of affection, but disheartened two hours later when he has a temper tantrum because he wants two cookies rather than one. He willingly seeks your help to solve a puzzle, but other times rejects your assistance with a firm "No!" Don't be surprised if some days he’s happy and other days it seems he whines for hours at a time. Your child is increasingly aware of his own self ("me," "mine"), what he wants ("you, right now!"), and that he can talk to you and you mostly understand! Still, the rapidity of change can overwhelm him at times. Consider how you might react if one week you're a middling tennis player, knitter, or blogger and three weeks later you're winning awards! Satisfying, but a bit unsettling.
Your Child’s Milestones
Emotionally, this is a tricky time for your child, and for you. He needs to express himself and have his own space. Plus he needs that predictable lap to crawl back into when he’s had enough freedom. But now he also needs to know that certain things he does are too aggressive or not socially acceptable. Guaranteed he’s going to get upset and frustrated when his needs aren't met. Which leaves you with the difficult task of helping him learn boundaries and to control those flailing emotions, with love and infinite patience.
Behavioural regression is relatively common among children, and typically occurs during the mid to late months of childhood. This is when your child slides back to an earlier stage, like asking for a bottle or a pacifier. This is usually the result of an upsetting event, or possibly the appearance of a younger sibling. It's also perfectly normal and will pass soon enough.
How Can Nutrition Help?
Feeding your child is about more than just giving her food. It's showing him that you love him/her, and that he can depend on you time and again to meet his basic needs, through picky stages and all. You're feeding more than his body. You're strengthening your emotional bond with your child
