Nursery World - Positive Relationships: Behaviour

In part four of her series on the behaviour of two-year-olds, Julia
Manning-Morton looks at possession and social rules.

In the last article in this series, ('Me time', Nursery World, 9 March), we identified the primary task of two-year-olds as 'being and becoming themselves'. This aspect of development is sometimes interpreted by adults as anti-social and egocentric, unable to consider others and unwilling to share and co-operate in a group.

But those working closely with two-year-olds in settings where their characteristics and development are understood will refute this view. They will testify to the enormous interest most two-year-olds have in being with, playing with and forming friendships with others.

THEORY OF MIND OR MINDSIGHT

twos44 It is fair, however, to say that although two-year-olds frequently show empathy and concern for others, they often struggle with understanding and keeping other people's needs in mind.

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