Child Development
Child Development
Preschool (2 to 3
yrs)
Attachment Trust/Security
Newborns recognize
human language and prefer
their own mother's voice
Prefer human faces
Early social interaction
is a smile and mutual
gazing
Crawls away but checks
back visually, calls, and
gestures to ensure adult
contact
Stretches arms to be taken
Prefers familiar adults
Acts anxious around
strangers
Uses a blanket or stuffed
toy for security and
reassurance
Relates to others by
exploring things with them
Pulls up, stands holding
furniture, then walks alone
Goes through a phase of
clinging to primary caregiver
Experiences periods of
intense feelings when
separating or reuniting with
a parent
Sees others as a barrier to
immediate gratification
Is capable of dramatic play
Has better control over all
aspects of self
Needs adult coaching to
get along well with others
Shows feelings with words
and in symbolic play
Is more aware that others
have feelings
Can plan ahead
Self-Awareness
Identity/Self Esteem
Exploration
Autonomy/Independence
Is capable of self-evaluation
(for example,
good, bad, pretty, ugly)
Tries to control self (for
example, emotions and
toileting)
Is learning to take turns in
conversations
Knows a lot about
communicating in the style
of own culture
Adapted with permission from J. Ronald Lally, Abbey Griffin, et al., Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Groups: Developmentally
Appropriate Practice (Washington, DC: ZERO TO THREE/The National Center, 1995), pp. 78-79.
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning; Vanderbilt University (http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel)