Self-concept
Self-concept is an understanding and evaluation of who we are (Myers, 2014). Childhood is considered to end around age 12. Ideally by the time a child reaches the end of their childhood they will have a stable self-image.
In 1877, biologist Charles Darwin offered one idea: Self-awareness begins when we recognize ourselves in a mirror (Myers, 2014).
In infancy it is very likely for a baby to consider herself to be a part of her mother, especially if breastfeeding but even so if the baby is formula-fed. At around 6 months a baby is able to see her own reflection in a mirror but does not recognize the image in front of her to be herself. Instead, she might think that it is just an object or perhaps another child. It isn't until around 15-18 months that the child is able to recognize her own reflection in the mirror as "me" or as the image projection being of herself. Apparently, 18-month-olds have a schema of how their face should look (Myers, 2014). As with the example mentioned above with the mirror, a simulation was performed with the painting of a red dot on a child's nose and then shown their own reflection. At each age mentioned above, it wasn't until around 15-18 months that the child batted at their own nose in response to the image of themselves appearing in the mirror with a speck of paint that isn't usually there on their face.
It isn't really until school-age (approximately 6-12 years old) when a child really starts to blossom and take on individual characteristics that include, but are not limited to: gender, group memberships, psychological traits, and similarities and differences compared with other children (Myers, 2014). As children progress through their childhood, they start to realize what their strengths and weaknesses are. By about 8-10 years their self-image becomes more solidified, easing them into the next chapter of their innocent and hopeful lives.
In 1877, biologist Charles Darwin offered one idea: Self-awareness begins when we recognize ourselves in a mirror (Myers, 2014).
In infancy it is very likely for a baby to consider herself to be a part of her mother, especially if breastfeeding but even so if the baby is formula-fed. At around 6 months a baby is able to see her own reflection in a mirror but does not recognize the image in front of her to be herself. Instead, she might think that it is just an object or perhaps another child. It isn't until around 15-18 months that the child is able to recognize her own reflection in the mirror as "me" or as the image projection being of herself. Apparently, 18-month-olds have a schema of how their face should look (Myers, 2014). As with the example mentioned above with the mirror, a simulation was performed with the painting of a red dot on a child's nose and then shown their own reflection. At each age mentioned above, it wasn't until around 15-18 months that the child batted at their own nose in response to the image of themselves appearing in the mirror with a speck of paint that isn't usually there on their face.
It isn't really until school-age (approximately 6-12 years old) when a child really starts to blossom and take on individual characteristics that include, but are not limited to: gender, group memberships, psychological traits, and similarities and differences compared with other children (Myers, 2014). As children progress through their childhood, they start to realize what their strengths and weaknesses are. By about 8-10 years their self-image becomes more solidified, easing them into the next chapter of their innocent and hopeful lives.
A parent or caregiver might want to closely familiarize themselves with gender differences in the development of a child's self-concept, as well as cultural/racial variations in growth and change. In an educational setting, a teacher might want to take note and give feedback to students who might be establishing their academic self-concept. While a child may notice that he or she excels at English, he or she may struggle with determining whether or not they are proficient at another subject, such as math or science. A teacher can be a student's best advocate through constructive and positive feedback so that the student can better estimate and train their specific strengths and weaknesses.
A child's self-concept should be something of great importance to a parent or teacher of a child going through these amazing changes. The impact that these changes have on the child and overseeing adult will set the tone for how things will be in the collective future and in future interactions.
References
Myers, D. G. (2014). Psychology (10 ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
A child's self-concept should be something of great importance to a parent or teacher of a child going through these amazing changes. The impact that these changes have on the child and overseeing adult will set the tone for how things will be in the collective future and in future interactions.
References
Myers, D. G. (2014). Psychology (10 ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.