When is trust developed in children

Jill Suttie, Psy. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good.

Become a subscribing member today. Get the science of a meaningful life delivered to your inbox. About the Author. Jill Suttie Jill Suttie, Psy. This article — and everything on this site — is funded by readers like you. Extending your trust to your children by expecting the best from them and believing in their goodness and potential helps build their sense of social awareness and contributes to their emotional growth. Teaching your child about the importance of trust in relationships can have a profound effect on the way they see the world, and can help build a strong base of trust that is crucial for their social and emotional development.

Although your child may not yet fully understand the concept of trust, you can begin teaching him or her about this value by pointing out examples of this type of behavior. There are many situations when separation anxiety is more about anxiety and temperament than trust, and while you may have an excellent job of demonstrating and explaining trust, some children may still have a difficult time separating.

Keep in mind that some issues, like transportation problems, may cause you to be late when picking your child up from school, and your child may become upset if you are not there to get her on time.

Preschoolers and kindergartners have vivid imaginations and they tend to exaggerate and tell tall tales to get their points across. Your child may not want to talk about school one day, or what she did at a play date.

Unless you have a reason to believe that there is something that needs to be discussed, it is alright to let your child have a part of her life that is separate from you.

It is necessary at this stage in development that a child feels a positive sense of separation from you as she forms her own self. Playing with your child or reading to her also helps develop a bond of trust. These are good ways to teach your child about ways you show your trust in everyday situations. Answering any questions she may have while you are playing will give her the security that you have the knowledge needed to take care of her, giving her stronger trust in you.

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