8 November 2010

Why the 'terrible twos' are 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 behaviour in the pre-school years.

For more information, email dundeesciencefestival@dundeesciencecentre.org.uk, visit www.dundeesciencefestival.org or telephone 01382 228800.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Dundee Science Festival is supported by the Scottish Government, Dundee City Council’s Education and Development Services and Skills Development Scotland. Those delivering events, some of whom have also invested financial support, include Dundee Science Centre - Sensation, Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) University of Dundee, University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee College, The McManus, Medical Research Council, British Science Association, Dundee Heritage Trust, University of St Andrews and BioDundee.

Dundee Science Centre is an HMIE-inspected community learning resource and visitor attraction, with a mission to create a culture of curiosity, confidence and engagement with science for the community of Tayside.

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