What emotional skill is typically developing in children aged 4 to 5 years?

At the age of 4 to 5 years, children are typically reaching a developmental stage where they start to understand and recognize emotions not just in themselves, but also in others. This is often referred to as developing empathy. During this period, children begin to express feelings and respond to the emotional cues of those around them, which is a fundamental aspect of social interaction and emotional intelligence. They may show concern for peers who are upset or offer comfort, indicating their growing capacity to share in the feelings of others.

The other options denote skills that are either more complex or not as prevalent in this particular age group. The ability to hide feelings and complex emotional reasoning generally develops later, when children begin to more profoundly understand and manage their own emotional expressions and the nuances of social interactions. Balanced self-criticism involves a level of self-awareness and reflective thought that is typically not seen until later childhood, as young children are still primarily focused on immediate feelings and reactions. Thus, empathy for others is indeed the key emotional skill that is developing in children aged 4 to 5 years.