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: Self-control

Age: 15-18 Months

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Observe the child during natural interactions. The child often needs comforting because of frustration.

If no opportunity presents itself, the adult can challenge the child by ending play with a preferred toy before the child is finished playing with it.

Watch what the child does to self-calm and how quickly the child turns to the adult for support. Some children may quickly shift their attention (diverting attention), others will sulk or cry, but quickly calm and find a new activity of interest. Other children will immediately seek adult support, indicating they haven’t yet started to develop self-regulation strategies.

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to help children self-calm by re-directing their attention rather than offering physical comforting. This will encourage children to develop their own options for self-regulation when frustrated.