Early Childhood (2-7 years)
Coping
Reliance on Others for Coping ■■
gradual reduction in the reliance upon the caregiver to regulate their internal and external environments
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s eeks social support from caregivers, sometimes as a back-up strategy when self-regulatory methods do not work (see Figure 3 below)
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ecoming more confident and skilled in seeking comfort from appropriate people within different settings b (i.e. knowing who to approach and how to ask for help) (see Language Development, Self-Awareness and Socialisation)
Cries, reaches for and moves towards family members to seek cuddles, kisses and supportive words when distressed
Engages in shared activities with family members to distract themselves from the stressor
Coping via social support from caregiver
Asks family members questions to gain information about how to reduce the effects of the stressor Figure 3. Social support seeking methods used for coping during early childhood.
Seeks objects from family members to help themselves cope (e.g. asks for transitional object)
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