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Early emotional development in infants and toddlers: Perspectives of Early Head Start staff and parents
Author(s) -
BrophyHerb Holly E.,
Horodynski Mildred,
Dupuis Sara B.,
London Bocknek Erika,
Schiffman Rachel,
Onaga Esther,
Van Egeren Laurie A.,
Fitzgerald Hiram E.,
CunninghamDeluca Mary,
Hawver Shelley,
Adkins Madonna,
Thomas Sarah
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
infant mental health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1097-0355
pISSN - 0163-9641
DOI - 10.1002/imhj.20211
Subject(s) - psychology , feeling , early head start , head start , perspective (graphical) , developmental psychology , emotional development , focus group , early childhood , curriculum , social psychology , pedagogy , social change , business , marketing , artificial intelligence , computer science , economics , economic growth
Abstract As part of a curriculum‐development project, focus groups were implemented with Early Head Start staff and with parents of infants and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start. Focus groups were designed to identify staff and parent beliefs about early emotional development. Three major themes were identified that crossed the staff and parent focus groups: (a) Infants' and toddlers' abilities to have emotions and to be aware of others' emotions; (b) roles of parents as advocates, teachers, and disciplinarians; and (c) parental reflectivity about their own experiences as influences on their parenting. The findings suggest that parents participating in Early Head Start have some knowledge about basic emotions and the developmental nature of emotions, but may easily misinterpret emotional displays only as attempts at manipulation rather than as valid expressions of feelings; expectations for gender‐appropriate emotional expressiveness begin early; more empowered parents may view themselves as role models and teachers for their children; and more reflective parents are better prepared to engage in the sensitive interactions needed to guide young children's growing awareness of their own and others' emotions. Implications for parenting education and program planning utilizing an infant mental health perspective are discussed.