What Are the 5 Stages of Emotional Development in Childhood?

Have you ever wondered how children go from throwing tantrums over spilled milk to handling complex feelings as teenagers? It’s a wild journey, and one that’s not always smooth, right? But, understanding the stages of emotional development in childhood can give us a little more insight into how kids grow emotionally, and why certain behaviors (even the frustrating ones) make sense at different ages.

Let’s break it down—because, as much as we might wish to just fast-forward to the part where our kids are mature, rational little beings, there’s a process. And trust me, it’s not always a straight line.

Stage 1: The Foundation – Infancy (0-2 years)

When babies are born, they’re, well, pretty much a blank slate. But that doesn’t mean they’re emotionless. Quite the opposite! From day one, babies begin to form emotional bonds, especially with their primary caregivers. Think about how a baby responds to their mom’s voice or face—there’s a spark of recognition there, and it’s the first sign of emotional attachment.

In these early months, infants experience basic emotions: distress, comfort, joy, and fear. If you’ve ever watched a baby go from screaming to calm in the arms of a caregiver, you’ve seen the emotional regulation process start to form. Over time, babies learn to associate their caregiver’s presence with safety and security, which lays the groundwork for future emotional development.

It’s fascinating to witness—when my daughter was about six months old, she started smiling whenever anyone familiar entered the room. It’s such a small thing, but it’s like a little glimpse into how they begin to navigate their feelings and the world around them.

Stage 2: The Toddler Struggle – Early Childhood (2-4 years)

This is where things get... well, complicated. We all know the "terrible twos," right? But what’s actually happening here? In early childhood, toddlers are just beginning to gain more control over their bodies and their emotions. They start to develop a sense of autonomy and, with it, their first taste of frustration when things don’t go as planned. Ever tried to reason with a toddler in full meltdown mode? Good luck. Their emotional regulation isn’t quite there yet.

During this phase, toddlers begin to understand and express more complex emotions like anger, jealousy, and even empathy (yep, it’s happening). But the real challenge is their ability to control those emotions. It’s why they’ll go from laughing to screaming in a matter of seconds. They don’t have the skills to manage intense feelings yet, and that’s perfectly normal. It's like watching a tiny emotional rollercoaster.

I remember when my son was about three, he had an epic meltdown in a grocery store because I wouldn’t let him have a cookie (silly me, right?). The emotional intensity in that moment was incredible, and it was a perfect example of how toddlers are just beginning to learn how to handle big feelings—and failing spectacularly.

Stage 3: The Social Awakening – Middle Childhood (5-7 years)

By the time kids hit the ages of 5 to 7, their emotional world is expanding. They’re becoming much more aware of the emotions of others, which means they start forming deeper social connections. This is the age when kids begin to really understand empathy—like, "Oh, I see that my friend is upset, so maybe I shouldn’t take their toy." They’re learning that their actions can affect others.

But, here’s the thing: they don’t always get it right. At this stage, kids might still have a hard time reading social cues or understanding that other people have emotions that might be different from their own. They might also struggle with things like guilt or shame if they hurt someone’s feelings—sometimes, they'll feel bad, other times, not so much. It’s a messy process of learning, but it’s the foundation of emotional intelligence.

I’ve seen this firsthand when my daughter started interacting more with her peers at school. She’d come home, sometimes excited and other times upset about a disagreement she had with a friend. It was a great opportunity to talk through emotions and learn together how to handle tricky situations.

Stage 4: The Emotional Minefield – Late Childhood (8-12 years)

As kids get older, their emotional world becomes even more complex. Between the ages of 8 and 12, they start dealing with more nuanced emotions like pride, embarrassment, and frustration. Their social world expands—there are more friends, more influences, and more expectations placed on them, both in school and at home.

At this stage, kids are really starting to grapple with how they see themselves in the world. They might start feeling more self-conscious, especially about how others perceive them. Self-esteem becomes a huge factor in emotional development. They might also begin to explore their identity and their place in social groups, which can bring about a lot of emotional turbulence.

I remember this phase with my nephew—he was so excited to join his first soccer team. At first, it was all about having fun, but soon after, he started comparing himself to the other players and feeling a bit insecure when he didn’t make every shot. That shift in emotional awareness was interesting to see. It was no longer just about playing the game—it was about proving himself.

Stage 5: The Rollercoaster of Adolescence (13+ years)

Ah, adolescence—the ultimate emotional rollercoaster. This is the stage that tends to get a lot of attention, mostly because... well, we’ve all been through it. Between the ages of 13 and 18, kids experience intense emotional changes, and the stakes feel higher than ever. They are trying to figure out who they are, what they believe in, and where they fit into the world.

During this stage, emotions can swing wildly. There’s increased emotional sensitivity, self-consciousness, and a growing desire for independence. Teenagers are refining their emotional regulation skills, but it’s still a work in progress. One minute, they're on top of the world; the next, they're sulking in their rooms because they had a disagreement with a friend or didn’t get the grade they wanted.

As a parent, watching a teenager go through this can be... well, exhausting. But it's also a vital time for emotional growth. It's when kids learn to navigate the complexities of relationships, identity, and self-worth.

Wrapping Up: Emotional Development Is a Journey

So, what do we take away from all this? Emotional development in childhood is far from linear, and every kid will go through these stages at their own pace. Some kids might breeze through one stage while others struggle a little more. And that’s okay. What’s important is that, as parents, caregivers, or educators, we provide a safe and supportive environment to help them navigate these emotional ups and downs.

The key takeaway here is that emotional development doesn’t stop—it continues throughout life. These early stages, from infancy to adolescence, are the building blocks for emotional intelligence, and we all play a part in shaping that journey.

So, next time your child is throwing a tantrum (or even a teen is giving you the silent treatment), remember: it’s part of the process. Hang in there, and know that, eventually, they’ll figure it out. Hopefully.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.