Greensboro, NC -- About the time your child starts school you might notice the change. He finds himself in an embarrassing situation, and blushes, hides or even runs. It's normal as children start to adopt some standard of appropriate behavior.
Dr. Nannette Funderburk with the Social and Emotional Learning Group says the onset of embarrassment is linked to a few things:
- Increased knowledge about the socially correct/incorrect ways to show negative emotions. (i.e. tantrum-like behavior significantly decreases)
- More detailed understanding of the concept of empathy
- Friendships are little more selective
She says parents will start to see:
- Cliques or same-sex peer groups may be more prevalent
- Spend less type with parents and siblings.
- Conformity to peer pressure
Some children need a little help dealing with the situations. Dr. Funderburk says look for these clues:
- Decreasing self esteem
- If child seems incapable of understanding empathy or is staunchly opposed to it
- Emotion expression seems uncontrollable
The SEL Group