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

Subdomain: Learning About Feelings

Goal: Children identify, manage, and express their feelings.

Skill Progression: Emotional expression

Age: 18-21 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 18-21 Months.

Embarrassment in young children is shown when they see something funny or unusual about how they are perceived by others. They may become embarrassed when they are the focus of attention.

Often just asking a child to “perform” something for others makes him uncomfortable and he demonstrate embarrassment.

The child who is embarrassed often hides behind the adult, looks down or away, and avoids looking at the observers. On the other hand, the child who performs, smiles broadly and then repeats the action is showing pride and the effort to get observers to respond again.

Early childhood educators and parents do not need to encourage embarrassment. This emotion evolves naturally as the child becomes aware of others’ interest in observing his “skills.” Embarrassment is natural, but parents can be encouraged not to put the child on the spot in front of friends and relatives. Parents often think the behavior the child shows is shyness, but it may well be embarrassment.