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Social & Emotional Development
Developing Self-Awareness
WiseTip: SE-AWA-M1626-E01A

Allow your toddler to put beloved toys or possessions in a special place of their choice.

1
  1. New Jersey Council for Young Children. (2013). New Jersey Birth to Three Early Learning Standards. Retrieved from: https://www.nj.gov/education/ece/guide/standards/birth/standard s.pdf

16-26 months
Environment
WHY IT MATTERS

Self-awareness develops in tandem with language skills. Children who have greater self-awareness of their abilities are more confident and have better self-esteem.

Studies have shown that children's ability to be self-aware and understand that others have internal mental states that guide behaviour (according to the

Theory of Mind

Children’s Theory of Mind - As children think more about themselves and others, they form the Theory of Mind – the psychological knowledge of self and understanding other people’s perceptions, feelings, desires, and beliefs.1

1. Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development (9th ed.). New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education.

) also impacts the development of their
executive function

Executive Function - The set of cognitive operations and strategies necessary for self-initiated, purposeful behaviour in relatively novel, challenging situations. These include controlling attention, suppressing impulses in favour of adaptive responses, coordinating information in working memory, and planning, organising, monitoring, and flexibility redirecting thought and behaviour.1

1. Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development (9th ed.). New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education.

abilities, such as the ability to plan, self-regulate and focus attention and consciously control one's thoughts and actions.
1, 2

  1. Wellman, H., Cross, D. & Watson, J. (2001). Meta-Analysis of Theory of Mind Development: The Truth about False Belief. Child Development. 72. 655 - 684.

  2. Carlson, S. M., Moses, L. J., & Breton, C. (2002). How specific is the relation between executive function and theory of mind? Contributions of inhibitory control and working memory. Infant and Child Development, 11, 73–92.