Emotional, personal and social development

Babies share their feelings by crying, vocalising and smiling. Babies will observe their

Carers faces closely while being fed, changed, bathed and talked to. Within the first two

Weeks babies are imitating facial expressions they see. They will recognise familiar

voices such as their mother and/or father and show signs of being soothed when they

hear familiar sounds and tones.

Small babies are fascinated by faces and until they reach approximately 6 months old

they will smile and coo at anyone who spends time interacting with them. Babies

young as 4-6 weeks old are making social overtures by smiling and vocalising. They will

take conversational turns, pausing in their vocalising to allow the other to speak. Babies

will then respond when a conversational gap is left for them.

From approximately 6 months old onwards, babies begin to develop wariness of

strangers. Some babies will become very distressed when separated from their main

carer. The dependence on the presence of a familiar adult continues into toddlerhood.

Although some 12 – 18 month old children may be intrepid explorers, they regularly return

to their parent or carer for reassurance.

By 9 months old and through toddlerhood, babies will play ‘give-and-take’ with toys and

household objects. They will enjoy the company of other children and will play alongside

them. Children at this age are not able to join independently in others’ play.

At around 9 months old babies will clearly express emotions such as pleasure with laughs

and squeals and may have words to express annoyance. They will hold out their arms to

be lifted and cuddled when distressed.

As children reach 12 – 18 months old they may express their frustration in ‘toddler

tantrums’ and may show jealousy if their mother/carer holds or pays attention to another

child or baby. This is also the age when young children become aware of pain or distress

in others and will attempt to comfort a sibling or another child who is crying.