'Terrible twos' crucial to child development

Parents of toddlers will be given the chance to understand the importance of the ‘terrible twos’ during a talk delivered by a University of Dundee lecturer this week.

As part of the Dundee Science Festival, Dr. Josephine Ross, a lecturer in Developmental Psychology, will explain why the dreaded stage is linked to a child’s developing self-awareness.

The Café Science Extra event, which is free of charge and non-bookable, will take place at Dundee Science Centre Sensation from 6-7pm on Wednesday, 10th November.

Dr. Ross explained, 'Every mother is familiar with the ‘terrible twos’, the age at which children begin to assert their independence - usually loudly - in the supermarket!'

'I will be explaining why a child’s realisation that 'I am me', ie a person distinct from other people),may be what causes the transformation from biddable baby to tyrannical toddler. Although dealing with toddlers can be stressful, self-recognition has far reaching psychological consequences; encouraging independence, building autobiographical memories and fostering a social conscience.'

Dr. Ross’s research is concerned with the early development of self-awareness, and aims to investigate the role that self-recognition plays in cognition and behavior in the pre-school years.

More information:
www.dundeesciencefestival.org/

Provided by University of Dundee