During what stage do children generally begin to understand the concept of guilt?

Understanding the concept of guilt typically emerges during early childhood, aligning with the development of emotional and social skills. During this stage, children start to become more aware of social rules, expectations, and the impact of their behavior on others. This growing awareness allows them to experience complex emotions, including guilt, when they violate these rules or hurt someone else’s feelings. As they engage in play and interactions with peers and adults, they begin to understand the difference between right and wrong, which is closely tied to the development of moral reasoning.

Infancy primarily involves the establishment of trust and attachment rather than a sophisticated understanding of emotions like guilt. In toddlerhood, while children become more aware of their actions, their emotions are typically more self-focused, such as frustration or joy, rather than complex feelings like guilt. Adolescence does see an expansion in emotional awareness, including guilt; however, the foundational understanding is established earlier in early childhood. Thus, early childhood is the correct stage when children typically first understand and can experience guilt as part of their emotional development.