North Carolina Early Learning and Development Progressions: Birth to Five

Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Emotional and Social Development (ESD)

Subdomain: Developing a Sense of Self with Others

Goal: Children demonstrate the social and behavioral skills needed to successfully participate in groups.

Skill Progression: Behavioral regulation

Age: 21-24 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 21-24 Months.

Delays gratification for a short time

Situations for Observation of Skill

Watch the child in interaction with adults throughout the day.

Elicitation Strategy

Wait for the child to indicate something he wants, then have the adult say, “When you finish…you can have the…” or “Wait until I…and then you can have it.”

Behavior Observed

The child waits a short amount of time, remembering that he will get what he wants if he waits.

Routines-based Intervention (Embedded Instruction)

Help early childhood educators and parents understand that making children wait for what they want builds their self-restraint. Ability to control impulsivity and wait for reinforcement is a strong predictor of success. Adults can help build this trait.

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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