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16.6: Caregiver Role in Emotional Regulation

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    Caregivers and Regulating Emotions

    Responsiveness to infants' signals contributes to their development of emotional regulation (Zaar, n.d). Young infants have minimal capacity to adjust their emotional states and depend on their caregivers to help soothe themselves. By 4 to 6 months, babies can begin to shift their attention away from upsetting stimuli (Rothbart et al., 2006). Older infants and toddlers can more effectively communicate their need for help and crawl or walk towards or away from various situations (Cole, Armstrong & Pemberton, 2010). This aids in their ability to self-regulate. Temperament also plays a role in children's ability to control their emotional states, and individual differences are noted in the emotional self-regulation of infants and toddlers (Rothbart & Bates, 2006)[1].

    Definition: Temperament

    In psychology, temperament broadly refers to consistent individual differences in behavior that are biologically based and are relatively independent of learning, system of values and attitudes. 

    Standing toddler covering eyes.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Standing toddler covering eyes. ([2])

    Attributions:

    This page titled 16.6: Caregiver Role in Emotional Regulation is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda Taintor (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative) .