Social-Emotional Development Guide

Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing baby.

Your baby:

• uses different cries to tell you he is not hungry, uncomfortable, or sick.
• is really smiling at you and talks to you with noises and gurgles.
• lets you know she is happy by cooing, smiling, and gurgling.
• will sometimes be fussy because he wants your attention and likes to be picked up, hugged, and cuddled by people she knows.
• likes to play with her fingers, hands, feet, and toes.
• recognizes familiar people by their voices.
• feels safe in your arms and enjoys your hugs.

Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing baby.

Your baby:

• responds to your soothing and comforting.
• may begin to show signs of affection when looking at you.
• enjoys watching other babies and focuses on your voice.
• may turn to you when you call his name.
• may be frightened by loud or unfamiliar noises.
• enjoys learning simple games such as Peekaboo.
• likes quiet and being soothed.
• may babble by putting sounds together like ma-ma-ma, ba-ba, and da-da-da.

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.
• shows different emotions such as fear, guilt, sympathy, modesty, or embarrassment.
• loves to be held and read to and becomes upset when separated from you.

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 that 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.

Learn what types of behaviors to expect from your growing child.

Your child:

• likes using her growing imagination to play with puppets, dress-up clothes, dolls, and play figures.
• is beginning to understand others' feelings and can identify when another child is angry or happy.
• may talk with a loud, urgent voice.
• is happy to see friends and familiar adults.
• sometimes screams and throws temper tantrums.
• likes to be hugged and cuddled, but not in the middle of playtime.

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 have nightmares and be fearful at times.
• likely has a special friend he prefers playing with.
• uses imagination to create stories through pretend play with dolls, toy telephones, and action figures.

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, but may be possessive of favorite toys.
• may have imaginary friends.
• expresses extreme emotions at times.
• shows concern and sympathy for younger siblings and friends.
• can be boastful and bossy at times.
• is starting to understand danger.

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 school.
• is showing some self-control in group situations.
• is beginning to understand the meaning of right and wrong.
• has an increasing attention span.