The Developing Child © 2010

Chapter 14: Emotional and Social Development from Four to Six

Summaries

Children develop increased independence, curiosity, and boldness as they mature from ages four to six. They show emotions such as anger, jealousy, and worry. The rich imagination and fantasy life of preschoolers can lead to fears of ghosts and monsters. As they mature, children learn to express anger with words rather than physical attacks. Children develop an internal sense of right and wrong. They also learn to play both competitive and cooperative games.