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: 33-36 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 33-36 Months.

Watch the child during daily routines or play activities.

If no opportunity to observe this behavior occurs naturally, the adult can create a situation. For example, if the child picks up a toy another child or the adult has been playing with, the adult can say or prompt the child to say, “I was playing with that toy.”

The child acknowledges the mistake by trying to make it up to the wronged person. The child may offer the offended person an object or try to play with her in another way.

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to help the child think about what he should do to “fix” a situation. (“What do you think would make your sister feel better?” or “What could we do to fix that broken toy?”) Parents can be encouraged to model the behavior they want to see in the child.