During the first five years a child’s life, the interaction with caregivers sets the stage for social interaction and emotional response throughout childhood. Infants bond with caregivers, learning to trust these individuals for physical and safety needs. From there, babies interact with others in both subtle and express ways. The way children interact with others in their early environments later influences their ability to make friends, express feelings or frustrations, and resolve conflicts as they begin to navigate the outside world. By monitoring the important social-emotional milestones, you can help ensure that your child eventually develops the aptitude needed to reach their potential in school and everyday life.
Timeline of Social and Emotional Developmental Milestones
Social and Emotional Development at 2 Months Old
- Begins to smile at familiar faces
- Attempts to self-soothe (examples include sucking thumb or hand)
- Tries to look at parent
Social and Emotional Development at 4 Months Old
- Smiles (without prompting) at other people
- Enjoys playing and may cry when playing stops
- Attempts to imitate facial expressions like smiling or frowning
Social and Emotional Development at 6 Months Old
- Recognizes familiar faces
- Begins to know whether someone is a stranger
- Enjoys playing with parents
- Often appears happy
- Reacts to the emotions of others
- Likes to look in the mirror
Social and Emotional Development at 9 Months Old
- Afraid of strangers (can distinguish familiar faces; beginning sense of “stranger-danger”)
- Clingy with familiar adults
- Attachment to favorite toys
Social and Emotional Development at 12 Months Old
- Begins to act shy or nervous around strangers
- Cries when parents or caregivers leave
- Identifies favorite toys or people
- Shows fear in some scenarios
- Brings book to parent or caregiver to hear a story
- Imitates sounds or movements to get attention
- Holds out arms or hands to help getting dressed
- Begins playing social games (such as peek-a-boo or patty-cake)
Social and Emotional Development at 18 Months Old
- Shows fear of strangers
- May begin to throw temper tantrums to express frustrations
- Begins to show unprompted affection to familiar people
- Enjoys handing items to others for social play
- Begins pretend-play games like feeding teddy bear or doll
- Clings to parents or caregivers in new social settings
- Points out objects to indicate interest
- Begins to explore alone (with parents close by)
Social and Emotional Development at 2 Years Old
- Imitates parents and older children
- Gets excited about seeing other children
- Begins to show more independence
- Begins to show defiance
- Plays independently next to other children
- Includes other children in games like “chase”
Social and Emotional Development at 3 Years Old
- Imitates adults and friends
- Begins to show affection to friends
- Plays games that involve taking turns
- Shows concern for a crying friend
- Begins to understand the concept of “mine,” “yours,” “his,” and “hers”
- Expresses a range of emotions
- Separates from parents more easily
- Can become upset with major changes in routine
Social and Emotional Development at 4 Years Old
- Learns to cooperate with other children
- Enjoys trying new things
- Becomes creative with make-believe (playing “Mommy,” “Daddy,” “princess,” or tea parties)
- Enjoys sharing likes and interests
Social and Emotional Development at 5 Years Old
- Enjoys being like friends
- Enjoys praise and being the center of attention
- More agreeable with rules (can resolve some frustrations without tantrums)
- Enjoys singing, dancing, and acting
- Shows sympathy for others
- Begins to understand gender
- Demanding at times but more cooperative than ever before
- Demonstrates greater independence in play
These checkpoints can help ensure that your child is making satisfactory social and emotional progress. Although children develop at different paces, it is wise to speak with a professional early if you notice social and emotional delays. Contact The Warren Center for more information on programs, social skills groups, and early childhood intervention for social and emotional development.
