Abstract: Objective To explore the emotional socialization development between boys and girls aged 1-3 years. Methods A total of 1008 children were randomly selected with 571 boys and 437 girls. Chinese version of Urban Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (CITSEA) was used to assess the emotional socialization development situation between boys and girls. Results There were statistically significant differences between boys and girls in the overt behavior domain and ability domain of CITSEA (t>2.136, P<0.05), and was not in the covert behavior domain and imbalance domain (t<1.172, P>0.05). Conclusion There are gender differences in emotional socialization development of children.

Key words: infants, emotional socialization, gender, difference