# 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.