2B.2. Self during Early Childhood

Since children are able to talk quite fluently by the time they are 3 years old, we need not rely only on self-recognition to know young children’s self-understanding. We can use verbal means by involving them in conversations about themselves.

By the age of three, children become verbal enough to express their thoughts about themselves. This allows researchers to gather insights about their self-understanding through conversations rather than just through observations. Verbal interactions provide a rich source of information about how children perceive themselves.

Think about asking a child, 'What do you like about yourself?' or 'What are you good at?'. Just like how adults express their identity through words, children do the same, which helps us understand their self-awareness.

Researchers have found that the following are the five main characteristics of young children’s understanding of themselves:

1. They use physical descriptions of their self or material possessions to differentiate themselves from others.
2. They describe themselves in terms of things they can do.
3. Their self-descriptions are in concrete terms.
4. They often overestimate themselves.
5. Young children are also unable to recognize that they can possess different attributes.

Children's self-understanding involves various characteristics:

1. Physical Descriptions: They often identify themselves through their physical traits or belongings, e.g., saying 'I am tall' or 'This is my toy.'
2. Abilities: They describe their skills through active participation in activities, for example, 'I can run fast.'
3. Concrete Terms: Their definitions are defined by what they see around them, like 'I have a toy.'
4. Overestimation: Children tend to be overly optimistic about their capabilities, claiming they know more than they actually do.
5. Lack of Self-Awareness: They struggle to understand that they can have both positive and negative traits, which complicates their self-definition.

Imagine a child boasting, 'I can fly like a superhero!' This not only shows their vivid imagination but also highlights their tendency to overestimate their abilities and think of themselves in a manner that might not align with reality.

The following is a brief interaction between an adult and Radha, a girl aged 3 years 8 months, which reveals the child’s perception of herself.

In a conversation with an adult, Radha describes her activities and preferences, showcasing her understanding of herself. During the dialogue, she expresses her likes, activities, and even mentions her birthday. This exchange illustrates how children articulate their sense of self based on tangible aspects of their lives and their social interactions.

Consider asking a young child, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' They might respond with something fun and simple, which reflects their world view and interests at that moment, showing how they are building their identity.

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