Unit 1: Physical, intellectual, emotional and social development at each life stage. INFANCY

INFANCY

what age is infancy ?

0 - 2 years 

what are gross motor skills ?

physical abilities that involve the use of large muscles in the body to perform big movements.

what are fine motor skills?

the abilities that involve the smaller muscles of the body, especially in the hands, fingers, and wrists, to make precise movements.

new born - gross/fine motor skills  PAD

Gross motor skills - Primitive reflexes: such as grasp reflex 

Fine motor skills - holds their thumbs tucked into their hands, palmar grasp reflex 

1 month - gross/fine motor skills  PAD

gross motor skills - lifts chin, some control of the head, kicking , arm waving

fine motor skills - opens hands to grasp a finger 

3 months - gross/fine motor skills  

gross motor skills - can lift their head and chest when lying on font, more controlled and smoother movements, head control improving

fine motor skills - can briefly grasp a rattle , follow moving objects more smoothly , watch own hands and bring them together.

6 months - gross/fine motor skills

gross motor skills - rolls over, can sit up for a short time without support, kicks legs when held up 

fine motor skills - moves objects from hand to hand , can pick up dropped toys if they are in sight. hold and shake a rattle

9-10 months gross/fine motor skills

gross motor skills - crawls , begins to cruise(walking while holding an object), shuffle on bottom, sit steadily without support for long periods, roll in both directions with ease. fine motor skills - uses finger and thumb to hold a small object, transfer objects smoothly from hand to hand , clap hands , point with index finger, hold bottle.

12-13 months - gross/fine motor skills

gross motor skills - stands alone, can walk without help , sit from standing

Fine motor skills - manipulates and places toys, May start attempting to use a spoon or cup, place objects into containers, pick up very small objects

18 months - gross/fine motor skills

gross motor skills-  climbs onto furniture, may try to run, pushing  and pulling toys while walking 

fine motor skills - builds a short tower with blocks , feed self with spoon  , scribble spontaneously, pincer grasp 

2 years gross/fine motor skills 

gross motor skills - propels a sit on toy with their feet, throws a large ball, kick a ball, climb stairs, run 

fine motor skills - draws lines circles, turns a page, open/close simple containers , take off shoes, socks or simple things 

2 and a half years gross/fine motor skills

gross motor skills - jumps from a low step, kicks a ball

fine motor skills - uses a spoon and fork, builds a tower of 7-8 blocks 

what is intellectual development ?

How individuals organise ideas and make sense of the world around them.

milestone at birth? IAD

cry/coo to show carer that they need care or that they feel uncomfortable.

milestone at 0-3 months ? IAD

• produces mouth movements to respond to a parent or carer 

• cries to request food or comfort 

milestone at 3-6 months? IAD

• babbling as a response 

• begins to gesture to what they want 

milestone at 12 months? IAD

• says first words

• use other sounds to demonstrate different needs 

milestone at 18 months? IAD

• can follow basic instructions and steps 

• able to say at least 6-10 words

milestone at 2 years ? IAD

• associates 2 words together like “me juice”

• learns adjectives and expressive words such as “wow” and “tiny”

what is emotional development ?

The way an individual begins to feel about and value themselves and other people. This forms the basis of emotional literacy and empathy.

What are the key emotional aspects of development during infancy (0–2 years)?

Aspect	Description	Key Age/Stage

Attachment

Emotional bond with caregiver

Birth – 2 years

Trust vs Mistrust

Erikson’s first psychosocial stage

Birth – 18 months

Social Smile

Smiles in response to people

2–3 months

Separation Anxiety

Distress when caregiver leaves

6–9 months

Self-awareness

Recognizing self as separate

18–24 months

what is bonding?

The close emotional connection that begins to form between a baby and their caregiver soon after birth.

what is attachment?

The strong, lasting emotional bond that develops over time between a baby and their caregiver through consistent love, care, and comfort.

importance of bonding and attachment ?

• A strong emotional bond between infant and caregiver is vital for security and trust

• Positive bonding impacts future emotional development.

• Confidence and independence: When babies feel secure, they are more confident to explore their environment.

• Protection against stress: Strong attachment can help reduce the negative effects of stress or change.

what are the theories of attachment ?

Bowlby’s attachment theory 

Ainsworth’s strange situation 

what is John Bowlby- attachment theory?

• Attachment is innate (natural) — babies are born wanting to form close bonds to survive.

• Monotropy: Babies form one main attachment figure (usually the mother).

• Critical period: Attachments should form within the first 2 years.

• If attachment doesn’t form, it may cause long-term emotional and social problems.

• Internal working model:

  • The first attachment becomes a “blueprint” for future relationships.

  • Secure early attachment → healthy, trusting relationships later.

  • Insecure early attachment → difficulty with trust or emotions later.

• Maternal deprivation:

  • Long separation or lack of attachment can cause:

    • Emotional and behavioural problems

    • Low self-esteem

    • Trouble forming relationships

    • “Affectionless psychopathy” (no empathy or guilt)

what is Mary Ainsworth- strange situation study?

Purpose

• To explore types of attachment between infants (12–18 months) and caregivers.

• To observe how babies react when separated and reunited with their caregiver.

Attachment Types Identified

• Secure Attachment (Type B):

  • Distressed when caregiver leaves.

  • Comforted when they return.

  • Uses caregiver as a “safe base.”

  • Linked to consistent, loving care.

• Insecure-Avoidant (Type A):

  • Little distress when caregiver leaves.

  • Avoids contact on return.

  • Linked to unresponsive or distant care.

• Insecure-Resistant / Ambivalent (Type C):

  • Very distressed when caregiver leaves.

  • Resists comfort on return.

  • Linked to inconsistent care (sometimes loving, sometimes not).

• Disorganized Attachment (Type D):

  • Confused or fearful behaviour.

  • Linked to abuse or trauma.

  • (Added later by other researchers.)

what is the Strange Situation Procedure

• Sample: Infants aged 12–18 months and their mothers.

• Observation in a Lab: Conducted a controlled experiment with 7 structured stages:

  1. Mother + infant enter room – infant explores the environment.

  2. Stranger enters – infant’s reaction to a stranger is observed.

  3. Mother leaves – infant is left with the stranger.

  4. Mother returns – infant’s reaction is observed.

  5. Mother leaves again – infant is left completely alone.

  6. Stranger returns – observes if the infant seeks comfort.

  7. Mother returns – infant’s response to reunion is recorded.

what is the Bowlby- 44 juvenile thieves study procedure?

• Sample: 44 teenage boys who had been referred to a clinic for stealing.

• Step 1 – Interviews: Bowlby interviewed each child and their families to gather information about:

  • Family background

  • History of maternal separation or loss

• Step 2 – Observation and Assessment:

  • Assessed emotional responses, relationships, and social behaviour.

  • Looked for signs of affectionless psychopathy (lack of guilt or empathy).

• Step 3 – Comparison:

  • Compared the 44 thieves with a control group of children who had not committed theft.

what are the findings of 44 juvenile thieves study?

• Early maternal separation linked to emotional problems.

• 14/44 “thieves” were affectionless psychopaths; 12 of these had experienced early separation.

• Control group rarely experienced separation.

• Conclusion: Lack of early attachment can lead to emotional and behavioural difficulties.

what are the findings of - Strange Situation

• Secure (Type B): ~66% — distressed when caregiver leaves, comforted on return; caregiver sensitive.

• Insecure-Avoidant (Type A): ~22% — little distress, avoids caregiver; caregiver distant/unresponsive.

• Insecure-Resistant (Type C): ~12% — very distressed, resists comfort; caregiver inconsistent.

• Conclusion: Attachment type depends on caregiver responsiveness; secure attachment leads to emotional security.

what does a Secure attachment provide to the child / baby ?

• Feeling safe and loved

• Confidence to explore

• Trust in others

• Helps manage emotions

• Supports social and learning skills

Internal working model

• A mental “blueprint” formed from the first attachment between a baby and their caregiver.

• It guides the child’s expectations about relationships and how people will treat them.

First year attachment cycle( 0-12 months ) 

• Asocial Stage (0–6 weeks)

  • Baby responds to people and objects, no strong preference yet.

• Indiscriminate Attachment (6 weeks–7 months)

  • Prefers people over objects.

  • Comfort can be accepted from any caregiver.

• Specific Attachment (7–9 months)

  • Forms a primary attachment (usually mother).

  • Shows separation anxiety.

  • Uses caregiver as a safe base to explore.

• Multiple Attachments (10–12 months+)

  • Forms attachments with other significant people (father, siblings, grandparents).

  • Recognizes and values different relationships.

what factors could affect the attachment process?

Caregiver responsiveness, separation, family stress, baby’s temperament, culture/support, caregiver health.

What is An insecure attachment.

An attachment where the baby does not feel fully safe or secure with their caregiver.

Criticism of John bowlby

1. Overemphasis on Mother

• Bowlby’s “monotropy” focuses too much on the mother.

• Ignores fathers and multiple attachments (Schaffer & Emerson, 1964).

2. Too Deterministic

• Suggests poor early attachment causes lifelong problems.

• Ignores recovery and resilience later in life.

3. Cultural Bias

• Based on Western families.

• Doesn’t apply to cultures with shared caregiving.

4. Reductionist

• Explains attachment mainly through biology.

• Ignores emotional, social, and learned influences.

5. Weak Evidence Base

• “44 Thieves” study lacked scientific control.

• Cannot prove cause and effect between deprivation and later behaviour.

what is social development?

•Social development involves learning how to interact socially with other individuals in the family and society in general.

Social Development in Infancy (Birth to 2 Years)
Key milestones & behaviours

1. Attachment Formation

• Emotional bonds with caregivers develop (Bowlby).

2. Social Smiling (~6 weeks)

• Smiles in response to faces.

3. Stranger Anxiety (6–8 months)

• Fear of unfamiliar people.

4. Separation Anxiety (8–12 months)

• Distress when caregiver leaves.

5. Social Referencing (9–12 months)

• Looking to caregiver for cues.

6. Early Communication

• Eye contact, gestures, joint attention.

7. Social Play (18–24 months)

• Simple interactive games (peek-a-boo, imitation).

What are the 3 main types of attachment? (Ainsworth-strange situation classification)

•1. Secure

2. Insecure/avoidant

3. Insecure/resistant

what is secure attachment ?

Is When….

• Infant feels safe to explore when caregiver is present.

• Distressed when caregiver leaves.

• Happy and easily comforted when caregiver returns.

what is Insecure/avoidant attachment?

Is when…

• Infant avoids or ignores caregiver.

• Shows little distress when caregiver leaves.

• Avoids contact upon return, may not seek comfort.

what is insecure/resistant ? 

Is when..

• Infant is anxious and clingy even before separation.

• Very distressed when caregiver leaves.

• Seeks contact but resists comfort when caregiver returns.

what are the different types of play?   (6)

• Solo play 0-1yrs

• solo play 12-18months 

• parallel play 18 months - 2 years 

• associative play 3-4 years 

• co-operative play 4-6 years 

• co-operative play 6-8years 

what is solo play?

•When infants play independently it is known

Solo Play (0–1 year)

• Watches adults closely

• Puts objects in mouth, touches with hands

• Plays alone with toys

• Starts simple games like peek-a-boo

• Explores toys independently

Solo Play (12–18 months)

• Plays and talks alone

• Repeats actions

• Begins playing with adults

• Notices other children

Parallel Play (18 months–2 years)

• Enjoys repetitive actions (putting objects in/out of boxes)

• Copies other children and adults

• Plays with adults and alone

• Learns by trial and error

Associative Play (3–4 years)

• Plays cooperatively with other children

• Shows reasoning by asking "why" and "how"

• Joins pretend and fantasy games

• Negotiates and takes roles

Co-operative Play (4–6 years)

• Uses simple rules in games

• Plays cooperatively towards shared goals

• Takes turns in tabletop game

Co-operative Play (6–8 years)

• Enjoys playing in small groups

• Makes own games and rules

• Understands and uses rules

• Often struggles with losing

What is parallel play ?

Parallel play is when a child plays side-by-side with other children but doesn’t directly interact or play together with them. ( ages 2-3 )

• Play with similar toys nearby

• Copy the actions of others

• Enjoy their own play but stay aware of others around

what are stages of play ?

Stages of play are the different ways children play as they grow, showing their developing social, cognitive, and motor skills.