Infant Toddler Learning & Development Foundations

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
32
Impulse Control
Behaviors leading up to the
foundation (4 to 7 months)
During this period, the child may:
• Cry when hungry or tired.
• Fall asleep when tired.
Behaviors leading up to the
foundation (9 to 17 months)
During this period, the child may:
• Crawl too close to a younger
infant lying nearby.
• Refrain from exploring another
baby’s hair when reminded to
be gentle. (8–10 mos.; Brazelton
1992, 256)
• Look at the infant care teacher’s
face to determine whether it is
all right to play with a toy on
the table. (12 mos.; Meisels and
others 2003, 25)
• Bite another child who takes a
toy.
• Reach for food on a plate
before the infant care teacher
offers it. (12 mos.; Meisels and
others 2003, 25)
Behaviors leading up to the
foundation (19 to 35 months)
During this period, the child may:
• Begin to use words and dramatic
play to describe, understand,
and control impulses
and feelings. (Lally and others
1995)
• Communicate, “Mine!” and
take a doll out of the hands of a
peer. (23–24 mos.; Parks 2004,
330)
• Throw a puzzle piece on the
floor after having trouble fitting
it in the opening. (24 mos.;
Meisels and others 2003)
• Open the playground door and
run out, even after being asked
by the infant care teacher to
wait. (24 mos.; Meisels and
others 2003)
• Start to take another child’s toy,
then stop after catching the eye
of the infant care teacher. (24
mos.; Meisels and others 2003)
• Use a quiet voice at naptime.
(30 mos.; Meisels and others
2003)
• Understand and carry out
simple commands or rules.
(Bronson 2000b, 85)
• Have a tantrum rather than
attempt to manage strong feelings.
(Brazelton 1992)
• Be able to wait for a turn.