Like every type of development, children improve themselves emotionally at a specific pace. Baby emotional development milestones can be summarized as follows:
Month 1
- Makes eye contact
- Cries for help
- Responds to parents’ smiles and voices
Month 2
- Begins to develop a social smile
- Enjoys playing with other people and may cry when play stops
- Prefers looking at people rather than objects
- Studies faces
- Gurgles and coos in response to sounds around her
- First begins to express anger
Month 3
- Starts a “conversation” by smiling at you and gurgling to get your attention
- Smiles back when you smile at him. The big smile involves his whole body — hands open wide, arms lift up, legs move
- Can imitate some movements and facial expressions
Month 4
- Is intrigued by children. Will turn toward children’s voices in person or on TV
- Laughs when tickled and when interacting with others
- Cries if play is disrupted
Month 5
- Becomes increasingly assertive
- Can differentiate between family members (parents and siblings) and strangers
- Likes to play during meals
Month 6
- May quickly tire of a toy but will never tire of your attention
- Temperament becomes increasingly apparent. You’ll see whether she tends to be easygoing or easily upset; gentle or active
- Recognizes his own name
- Coos for pleasure and cries with displeasure
- Can make noises like grunts and squeals; clicks his tongue
Month 7
- Starts to understand the meaning of “no”
- Enjoys social interaction
- Expresses anger more strongly
- Tries to mimic adult sounds
Month 8
- Can differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar
- May become shy or anxious with strangers
- Cries in frustration when he can’t reach a toy or do something he wants to do
Month 9
- Imitates gestures that other people make
- Looks at correct picture when an image is named
- Smiles and kisses own image in the mirror
- Likes to play near parent (i.e., in kitchen while Mom is cooking)
- May be more sensitive to the presence of other children
Month 10
- Separation anxiety may begin
- Self-esteem begins to develop
- Responds to positive recognition such as clapping
- Becomes cautious of heights
- Shows moods such as sad, happy, and angry
Month 11
- Tries to gain approval and avoid disapproval
- Can be uncooperative
Month 12
- May have temper tantrums
- Can fluctuate between being cooperative and uncooperative
- Shows a developing sense of humor
- May cling to parents or one parent in particular
