Developmental Milestones: Social Emotional Milestones

0 to 3 months

Looks at faces

Listens to voices

Quiets when picked up (the majority of the time)

Cries, smiles, and coos

2 months

Begins to smile at people

Can briefly calm themselves (may bring hands to mouth and suck on hand)

Tries to look at parent

4 months

Smiles spontaneously, especially at people

Likes to play with people

Copies some facial expressions like smiling or frowning

6 to 9 months

May get upset when separated from familiar person(s)

Unsure of strangers to baby

May comfort self by sucking thumb or holding special toy/blanket

6 months

Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger

Likes to play with others, especially parents

Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy

Likes to look at self in a mirror

9 to 12 months

Able to be happy, mad, and sad

Shows feelings by smiling, crying, pointing

Has a special relationship with parents and caregivers

Is curious about playthings

Imitates others

Enjoys books

Trusts that needs will be met

9 months

May be afraid of strangers

May be clingy with familiar adults

Has favorite toys

12 to 18 months

Safe and secure in loving relationships

Curious about people

Explores with enthusiasm

Bold and confident

Says “mama”, “dada”, and up to 8 additional words (and some two-word sentences) by 18 months

1 year

Is shy or nervous with strangers

Cries when mom or dad leaves

Has favorite things and people

Shows fear in some situations

Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story

Repeats sounds or actions to get attention

Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing

Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”

18 to 24 months

Laughs out loud

Loving towards others

Curious and likes to explore people, places, and things

Plays beside other children

Enthusiastic

Protests and says “NO”

Enjoys books, stories, and songs

18 months

Likes to hand thing to other for play

May have temper tantrums

May be afraid of strangers

Shows affection to familiar people

Plays simple pretend (such as making animal noises with stuffed animals or puppets)

May cling to caregivers in new situations

Points to show others something interesting

Explores alone but with parent close by

24 to 30 months

Uses words to communicate

Playful with others

May be shy in unfamiliar place

Likes people

Uses pretend play

Smiles and laughs

Enjoys lots of different books and simple games

2 years

Copies others, especially adults and other children

Gets excited when with other children

Shows more and more independence

Shows defiant behavior

Plays mainly beside other children but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase or ball games

24 to 30 months

Able to play independently

Easily separates from primary caregivers in familiar places

Begins to share with others

Shows feelings to others

Expresses many feelings: sad, happy, frightened, angry

Enjoys books and games

3 years

Copies adults and friends

Shows affection for friends

Take turns in games

Shows concern for a crying friend

Understands the idea of “mine” and “his”/”hers”

Shows wide range of emotions

Separates easily from mom and dad

May get upset with major changes in routine

Dresses and undresses self