Development of Social and Emotional Skills in Infants and Toddlers

Overview

• Social and emotional skills develop as infants and toddlers interact with others.
• Milestones are typically reached in the first two years of life.

Milestones by Age

By 2 Months

• Begin to smile at people.
• Can briefly calm themselves.
• May bring hands to mouth and suck on them.
• Try to look at their parent.

By 4 Months

• Smile spontaneously, especially at people.
• Enjoy playing with people; may cry when play stops.
• Copy movements and facial expressions (e.g., smiling, frowning).

By 6 Months

• Recognize familiar faces and notice strangers.
• Enjoy playing with others, especially parents.
• Respond to others' emotions and often seem happy.
• Like looking at themselves in mirrors.

By 9 Months

• May show fear of strangers.
• May become clingy with familiar adults.
• Have favorite toys.

By 12 Months

• Shy or nervous around strangers.
• Cry when parents leave.
• Have favorite people and things.
• Show fear in certain situations.
• Hand books to adults to hear stories.
• Repeat sounds/actions to gain attention.
• Help with dressing by extending arms or legs.
• Play games like peekaboo and pat-a-cake.

By 18 Months

• Enjoy handing things to others during play.
• May have temper tantrums.
• Can be afraid of strangers.
• Show affection to familiar people.
• Engage in simple pretend play, like feeding a doll.
• Cling to caregivers in new situations.
• Point to show something interesting.
• Explore alone, but stay near a parent.

By 24 Months

• Copy others, especially adults and older children.
• Get excited around other children.
• Show increasing independence.
• Exhibit defiant behavior (doing what they've been told not to do).
• Play mainly beside other children but start to include them in play, such as chase games.

By 36 Months

• Imitate adults and friends.
• Show affection for friends without being prompted.
• Take turns in games.
• Show concern for a crying friend.
• Understand concepts of "mine," "his," and "hers."
• Display a wide range of emotions.
• Separate easily from parents.
• May be upset by major changes in routine.
• Can dress and undress themselves.