Development of communication, self and emotions in childhood: contributions from the relational and dialogical perspectives

The present paper shares some reflections on the implication of conceptualizing the development of communication, self and emotions as a relational and dialogical process. It is our contention that the analysis of self, emotions and communication cannot be divorced from one another. We view emotions as relational and dialogical experiences lived in bodies that co-exist in relation to other bodies, thereby fostering the development of a differentiated, yet connected, sense of self, starting during infancy and unfolding throughout childhood.