Observing a Child

Social and Emotional Development: Birth to 5 Years Adapted from ABCs of Child Development

http://www.pbs.org/wholechild/abc

From the start, babies eagerly explore the world around them, which includes their environment, themselves, and other important people. Some important social and emotional milestones are listed below.

Age	Milestones
Birth to 3 months	Babies spend a lot of time getting to know their own bodies (e.g., sucking their fingers, observing their hands) Infants are interested in other people and learn to recognize primary care providers. Most infants: Can be comforted by a familiar adult Respond positively to touch Interact best when in an alert state or in an inactive and attentive state Benefit from short, frequent interactions more than long, infrequent ones Smile and show pleasure in response to social stimulation
3 to 6 months	Babies are more likely to initiate social interaction. They begin to: Play peek-a-boo Pay attention to own name Smile spontaneously Laugh alou
6 to 9 months	Babies show a wider emotional range and stronger preferences for familiar people. Most can: Express several clearly differentiated emotions Distinguish friends from strangers Respond actively to language and gestures Show displeasure at the loss of a to
9 to 12 months	As they near age one, imitation and self-regulation gain importance. Most babies can: Feed themselves finger foods Hold a cup with two hands and drink with assistance Hold out arms and legs while being dressed Mimic simple actions Show anxiety when separated from primary caregive
1 to 2 years	Children become more aware of themselves and their ability to make things happen. They express a wider range of emotions and are more likely to initiate interaction with other people. At this stage, most children: Recognize themselves in pictures or the mirror and smile or make faces at themselves Show intense feelings for parents and show affection for other familiar people Play by themselves and initiate their own play Express negative feelings Show pride and pleasure at new accomplishments Imitate adult behaviors in play Show a strong sense of self through assertiveness, directing others Begin to be helpful, such as by helping to put things away
2 to 3 years	Children begin to experience themselves as more powerful, creative "doers." They explore everything, show a stronger sense of self and expand their range of self-help skills. Self-regulation is a big challenge. Two-year-olds are likely to: Show awareness of gender identity Indicate toileting needs Help to dress and undress themselves Be assertive about their preferences and say no to adult requests Begin self-evaluation and develop notions of themselves as good, bad, attractive, etc. Show awareness of their own feelings and those of others, and talk about feelings Experience rapid mood shifts and show increased fearfulness (for example, fear of the dark, or certain objects) Display aggressive feelings and behaviors Children enjoy parallel play, engaging in solitary activities near other children. They are likely to: Watch other children and briefly join in play Defend their possessions Use objects symbolically in play Participate in simple group activities, such as singing, clapping, or dancing Know gender identity
3 to 4 years	As their dexterity and self-help skills improve, 3-year-olds become more independent. Most can: Follow a series of simple directions Complete simple tasks with food without assistance, such as spreading soft butter with a dull knife and pouring from a small pitcher Wash hands unassisted and blow nose when reminded Children become more interested in other children. They are now more likely to: Share toys, taking turns with assistance Initiate or join in play with other children and make up games Begin dramatic play, acting out whole scenes (such as traveling, pretending to be animals)
4 to 5 years	At this age, children are more aware of themselves as individuals. They: Show some understanding of moral reasoning (exploring ideas about fairness and good or bad behavior) Compare themselves with others 4-year-olds are very interested in relationships with other children. They: Develop friendships Express more awareness of other people's feelings Show interest in exploring sex differences Enjoy imaginative play with other children, like dress up or house Bring dramatic play closer to reality by paying attention to detail, time, and space

For more in-depth information on these milestones, visit the following articles:

Babies are Children, too: Infant Development

Dealing with Feelings: Emotional Health

I'm Glad I'm Me: Self-Esteem and Identity

Getting Along Together: Social Development

Building Inner Controls: Self-Control