Socialization and Self-Regulation During Toddlerhood

Socialization is the process through which children learn habits, skills, values, and motives.

This helps them become responsible and productive members of society.

Early socialization involves compliance, in which children learn to follow parental expectations before learning societal rules.

Over time, socialization moves toward internalization, where children no longer follow rules to earn rewards or avoid punishment.

Instead, they follow societal rules as they believe these are the right ways to behave.

Another important aspect of socialization is self-regulation.

It is a child's ability to independently control their behavior to meet social expectations.

Self-regulation supports socialization by combining physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

First, physical growth enables children to control their actions for self-regulation.

Next, children use cognitive skills to remember and understand caregiver instructions.

Emotional control helps children manage strong emotions such as frustration.

Finally, social factors such as positive parent-child interactions and support for a child’s autonomy foster self-regulation.