The two-year old child begins to refuse orders

By the time a child reached the age of two years, the psychologist says he is ‘self-conscious’. This is not the same as the lay use of the term, although there is a connection. The psychologist means that the child is aware that he is a self and not an extension of his mother. This awareness is shown in such behavioural acts as disobedience and the use of the word ‘no’ with emphasis, because the child is aware that he does not have to obey parental commands. Parental commands (moral imperative) are given throughout these two years first for the child’s own safety e.g. ‘Don’t touch the fire and secondly, so that he begins to develop some sense of right and wrong. An adult is able to weigh the consequence of his actions, partly because he has developed a concept of idea of time. The young child lacks this concept and is governed by immediate desires which must be fulfilled. Thus, in some situations, he can be excused for not behaving morally, i.e. making the choice which is ‘good’ for himself and others. In other situations, he knows what is right and chooses not to do it. Immature adults can also behave in this self-centred way.