Psychologist names eight signs of a child’s emotional maturity — CNBC
Clinical psychologist Lindsay C. Gibson named eight signs that may indicate a child’s emotional maturation. In an article for CNBC Top News, she noted that this development is reflected in an increasingly better ability to manage one’s own feelings, interact with other people and engage with the world around them.
According to the psychologist, an emotionally mature child may become an adaptable and sensible adult, capable of independently overcoming life’s difficulties, solving problems, maintaining long-term relationships and doing meaningful work. She also emphasized the role of parents’ patience, attention and affection in developing a child’s resilience.
Interest in the world and empathy
Gibson included vitality and engagement among the signs: a child is enthusiastic about their interests, plays creatively and seeks positive experiences. She also described the development of self-awareness, empathy and respect for other people’s views as important.
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Another sign is the ability to stand up for one’s own opinion while cooperating with adults when a child is offered choices or the reasons for a decision are explained. The psychologist advises parents to recognize a child’s right to speak out, even if this does not change adults’ final decision.
Independence and attitude toward feelings
According to the author’s description, an emotionally mature child is not afraid of closeness and can share deeper experiences with their parents if they respect the child’s autonomy and privacy. The child gradually becomes better at expressing and controlling difficult emotions, does not blame others for their own feelings and learns to express disagreement without attacks.
Among the other signs, Gibson named curiosity, a desire to develop one’s own interests and set goals, as well as age-appropriate independence. A child may suggest their own ways of solving problems and not be afraid of mistakes. Separately, the psychologist drew attention to more flexible and complex thinking: the ability to notice cause-and-effect relationships, anticipate possible consequences and consider situations from different angles.
