Toddlers can tell when people around them are angry and are able to adjust their behaviour accordingly from the ripe old age of 15 months, researchers have found.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, was published in the October/November issue of the journal Cognitive Development.
‘At 15 months of age, children are trying to understand their social world and how people will react,’ says lead author Betty Repacholi. ‘In this study we found that toddlers who aren’t yet speaking can use visual and social cues to understand other people – that’s sophisticated cognitive skills for 15 month olds.’
Researchers examined the behaviour of 150 toddlers to see how they reacted to demonstrations on how to use different toys. As the children watched, a second person would come into the room and repeat the demonstration but in an angry voice.
The children were then given the opportunity to play with the toys. If the angry person left or turned their back, the child would eagerly play with the toy. But when the angry person stayed, children were more hesitant.
If children are able to tell if their parents and the people around them are angry from such an early age, then it’s really important that parents learn how to argue properly in front of their children.