Empathy for another s feelings occurs around two to three years. At this time, the child becomes aware that others feelings differ from his or her own. An important aspect of moral development involves the ways a child s moral development can be fostered. Most importantly, a significant other needs to understand that some of the mischievous behaviors of a toddler reflect information seeking rather than defiance. We also must provide non-punitive and more democratic strategies for guiding behaviors.
Logical instruction needs to be used.
Consequently, there is not a tremendous change in a child s moral thinking. As the child moves through this age period, he becomes more prone to be affected by rules. Moral realism emerges. It is the morality that focuses on rules and the seriousness of the consequences of an act rather than the intentions behind the act. For example, tattling might be a normal expression of moral realism and thus should be treated as a normal process of moral development.