## Social-Emotional Development Guide ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing baby. #### Your baby: - Uses different cries to tell you is not crying as when he is hungry, much as she was uncomfortable, a newborn or sick. - Is really smiling at you and talks to you others now, with noises and gurgles. - Lets you know she is happy by cooing, smiling, laughing, and gurgling. - Will sometimes be fussy only because he likes to be with people and wants your attention. - Is learning about eating and sleeping routines. - Likes to play with her fingers, hands, feet, and toes. - Feels safe in your arms and enjoys your hugs. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing baby. #### Your baby: - Responds to your soothing and comforting and loves to be touched or held close. - May begin to show signs of vision, and she is sometimes getting more curious about what she sees. - Enjoys watching other babies and focuses on your voice, turning his head toward it. - May turn to you when you call his name. - Sometimes sucks on her fingers and hands to calm herself down. - Enjoys simple games such as Peekaboo and likes quiet and being soothed. - Plays with sounds and may babble by putting sounds together such as ma-ma-ma, ba-ba, and da-da-da. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing baby. #### Your baby: - Responds to her name when you call her. - Is interested in other babies and children. - Shows many emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and discomfort. - May have fears, such as fear of falling, darkness, large animals, loud sounds, or changes in routine. - May be shy around new people or seem jealous if you pay attention to someone else. - Watches other people and may respond to someone's pain by crying or showing distress. - Wants you in his sight all the time and may get upset when you leave him with someone else. - Is becoming more independent and may seem stubborn or frustrated when she cannot do something herself. - Gives affection by hugging and kissing and may hug or kiss familiar children, adults, pets, or stuffed animals. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing toddler. #### Your toddler: - Is generally happy and smiles at people, including other children. - Likes to talk and is using more words every day! - Is showing different emotions such as fear, guilt, sympathy, modesty, or embarrassment. - Loves to be held and read to and becomes upset when separated from you. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing toddler. #### Your toddler: - Likes to imitate you, other adults, and her friends. - Wants to do everything by himself, even though he can't! - Has many emotions, and her emotions can be very big. She can get angry and have temper tantrums. - Loves attention from familiar adults and children but may act shy around strangers. - Shows affection by returning a hug or kiss and tries to comfort familiar people who are in distress. - Is very interested in other children and is still learning how to play with them. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing child. #### Your child: - Likes using her growing imagination. She likes to play with puppets, dress-up clothes, dolls, and play figures. - Is beginning to understand others' feelings and is learning to identify when another child is angry or happy. - Is getting louder and bossier at times and may talk with a loud, urgent voice. - Greets familiar adults and is happy to see friends. - Sometimes screams and throws temper tantrums. - Likes to be hugged and cuddled but not in the middle of playtime. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing child. #### Your child: - Is more independent and can do many things for herself. Your child will tell you, "I can do it myself!" - Is still learning to follow simple rules, although he sometimes needs gentle reminders. - Now plays briefly with other children and is still learning about sharing and taking turns. - May be fearful and sometimes has nightmares. Scary images and sounds, even cartoons, can give her nightmares. - Likely has a special friend that he prefers playing with and may prefer playing with boys or girls. - Uses imagination to create stories through pretend play with dolls, toy telephones, and action figures. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing child. #### Your child: - Likes to play with other children and has favorite games and playmates. - Is beginning to share and takes turns but is possessive of favorite toys. - May have imaginary friends when playing games, sleeping at night, and going to preschool. - Expresses extreme emotions at times—happiness, sadness, anger, silliness—and she may be able to label her own feelings. - Shows concern and sympathy for younger siblings and playmates when they are hurt or upset. His ability to empathize—increasing. - Uses real-life situations when playing, such as going to the store, school, and gas station. - Can be boastful and bossy at times with her new independence. - Is starting to understand danger and knows when to stay away from dangerous things. --- ### 2 Months Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing child. #### Your child: - Likes to play best with one or two other children at a time. - Likes to choose his own friends and may have a best friend. - May play with small groups of children at the park or at school. - Is showing some self-control in group situations and can wait for his turn or stand in a line. - Is beginning to understand the meaning of right and wrong but does not always do what is right. - Has an increasing attention span and is able to focus her attention for a necessary length of time, such as listening to directions or a story.