CD10:Young Children With Special Needs

Chapter 11: Social and Emotional Development

Chapter Topics

Typical emotional and social skills

Factors affecting development

Social and emotional development in various special needs

Intervention strategies to promote development

Emotional Development

Have and show empathyUnderstanding how others feel

Have and show self-controlSaying “NO”

Have and show self-awarenessKnowing why you made that decision

Self-helpAsk for what you want! Taking appropriate action

Typical Emotional Skills

Label and express your feelingsThe four basic emotions are happiness, sadness, anger and fear

Seeking to understand others

Regulating emotionsSwitch from emotion to emotion

Express emotions in healthy and acceptable ways

Emotional Resilience – bouncing back

Coping skillsEmotional strategy – decide not to get too worked up

Cognitive strategy – thinking or talking to yourself that makes the experience more comfortable (mind over matter)

Behavioral strategy – seeking assistance and support

Typical Social Skills

Stages of playSolo play

Onlooker play

Parallel play

Associative play

Cooperative play

Entering and exiting a group

Forming friendships

Factors Affecting Development

TemperamentGenderStress levelsSibling relationshipsParenting styles Goodness of fit between parent and childSocial rejection vs. acceptance

Social Development and Special Needs

Autism

Developmental Delays

Communication Disabilities

Sensory Impairments

Behavior Disorders

ADD/ADHD

Physical Disabilities

Emotional Development and Special Needs

AutismDevelopmental DelaysCommunication DisabilitiesSensory ImpairmentsBehavior disordersADD/ADHDPhysical disabilitiesSocial rejection and acceptance

Intervention Strategies

Family interventionsConsistent careHigh Quality InteractionsVariety of learning experiencesOffer affirming experiencesPromoting positive attitudesTeachable moments for pro-social behavior

Teach children to be friendlyUse books, role modeling, class meetings

Teach children to interact with a variety of personalities

Help them identify the characteristics of different personalities

Help them plan to deal with different personalities

What does that look like?

What else does that look like?

Teach specific social and emotional skills

Calm down

Use your words

Get help

Be kind

Stay with your friends

Talk it over

Using Positive Behavior Support

Every behavior has a message!“How can I help you get back to good behavior?”Adult / child tasks

Identify the problemBrainstorm causesMake a planImplement the planEvaluate the outcomeRetry as needed

The bottom line:

The better equipped you are

at being socially mature

and emotionally healthy,

the more you can offer

to everyone in your life