ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the significant influences on emotional and moral development. It seeks to highlight the central place emotional and moral development have on the development of the whole child and outlines the key factors to be taken into consideration. The chapter considers what constitutes emotional development and provides a critical overview of attachment theories. It explores self-concept and self-esteem and considers influences which can impact on them. The chapter also considers the importance of emotional development on other aspects of development and provides an overview of the theories of moral development. It explores ways of supporting moral development. Facial expressions are a clear way to observe emotions even in children with visual and aural impairments. As children develop language emotions are also expressed through linguistic emphases and body language. Risk factors that contribute to emotional disturbance in children vary in their severity.
