What you need to know about baby social & emotional development 0-6 months

Babies' Social and Emotional Development from 0-6 Months

August 13, 2013 by HealthyFamilies BC

mom doing yoga with baby lying on mat

Is it possible to spoil a baby with too much love and attention? No! In the first six months, especially, your baby will benefit from all the protection, support and attentiveness you and your partner can provide.

Research has shown that babies who are responded to quickly and consistently will flourish and thrive in every way. The first time your baby offers a genuine toothless grin or belly laugh, your heart will melt.

Social and Emotional Milestones

Here are some of the social and emotional milestones to expect over the first six months:
First month: alert one out of every 10 hours enjoys eye contact smiles at faces recognizes parent’s voices begins to trust caregiver cries if under or over stimulated persistent crying may start at about two to three weeks	Second month: responsive smiling communicates moods enjoys visual stimulation studies faces personality becomes more obvious cries for attention persistent crying usually peaks in the second month
Third month: makes eye contact smiles at faces and may laugh out loud knows difference between parents and strangers stops crying when you walk into the room persistent crying usually stops in months three or four	Fourth month: laughs hard when tickled greets caregiver starts social gestures may move arms to signal “pick me up” enjoys social interaction
Fifth month: turns head toward speaker watches your mouth movements shows interest in colours pushes away disliked actions	Sixth month: mimics facial expressions exhibits moods with varied sounds and body movements may be shy or afraid of strangers responds to own name raises arms to signal “pick me up” likes own reflection

Here are some of the social and emotional
milestones to expect over the first six months:

First month:

alert one out of every 10 hours
enjoys eye contact
smiles at faces
recognizes parent’s voices
begins to trust caregiver
cries if under or over stimulated
persistent crying may start at about two to three weeks

Second month:

responsive smiling
communicates moods
enjoys visual stimulation
studies faces
personality becomes more obvious
cries for attention
persistent crying usually peaks in the second month

Third month:

makes eye contact
smiles at faces and may laugh out loud
knows difference between parents and strangers
stops crying when you walk into the room
persistent crying usually stops in months three or four

Fourth month:

laughs hard when tickled
greets caregiver
starts social gestures
may move arms to signal “pick me up”
enjoys social interaction

Fifth month:

turns head toward speaker
watches your mouth movements
shows interest in colours
pushes away disliked actions

Sixth month:

mimics facial expressions
exhibits moods with varied sounds and body movements
may be shy or afraid of strangers
responds to own name
raises arms to signal “pick me up”
likes own reflection

Play and Activity

Be sure to spend lots of time with your baby. Talk soothingly, sing songs, and look into your baby’s eyes - you will fall deeper in love. Here are some more tips for nurturing the social and emotional aspects of your baby’s unique personality:

Have skin to skin contact with newborns.
Always respond to crying within one or two minutes.
Don’t feel rejected if your baby turns away from you - young babies get tired easily.
Plan daily quiet times with your baby.
Don’t jiggle crying babies - use slow, gentle motions.
Don’t over stimulate your baby.
Copy your baby’s movements and sounds.
Rock and cuddle your baby.
Play with baby’s fingers and toes ("This Little Piggy Went to Market")

Social and Emotional Play and Activity

For more suggestions, see Leap BC’s guide Move with Me from Birth to Three. This trusted guide contains 40 fun filled activities to support your child’s development from birth to age three.

Resources & Links:
HealthLink BC: Emotional and Social Growth in Newborns
HealthLink BC: Emotional and Social Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
BC Healthy Child Development Alliance Social & Emotional Development in the Early Years resources

Previous Next

Learning Through Play With Toddlers

Play is the work of toddlers. It’s one of the most important ways your toddler learns, develops, and discovers the world.

Toddlers' Cognitive Development From 24-30 Months

You'll be amazed at your toddlers cognitive abilities between 24 and 30 months. At this age, toddlers can figure things out, often with impressive results.

Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is a big part of healthy growth and development for your child.

Beverages for Babies In Their First Year

At about six months, you can teach your baby to drink from a cup. Use a lidless, two handled cup instead of a sip cup.

Alcohol and Youth

Young people often develop drinking patterns like those of the adults in their lives, so prevention should start early and in your home. Remember, teens aren't always likely to ask about what binge drinking really is (and its dangers).

Drinking Alcohol When You're Pregnant

If you drink when you’re pregnant, your baby’s drinking, too. And that can cause serious problems.

Childproofing Your Home for a Toddler

Childproofing your home will help to create a safer environment, but there is no way to completely childproof - nothing can replace adult supervision!

Helping Your Child Settle for Sleep

At times, your toddler may find it difficult to settle down to sleep. Here are some tips to help your toddler settle.

Using Soothers and Stopping When it's Time

Some parents swear by soothers. Others avoid them. Only you can decide what’s right for your baby. Learn about the pros and cons.

Preparing for Visitors With Your New Baby

Family and friends will likely be excited to meet your new baby, but a constant stream of visitors can disturb your sleep and rest time.

Tips for Soothing

Babies generally cry because they're hungry, uncomfortable, sick, hurt or looking for affection. But sometimes, you can try everything and your baby won't stop crying.

Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Healthy eating is always important and when you’re pregnant it's vital. Here is a guide on what to eat when pregnant to ensure that you and your baby get all the nutrition you need.

Babies' Physical Development from 9-12 Months

Between nine to 12 months, play with your baby often and create lots of opportunities for physical activity.

Plugged Milk Ducts When You're Breastfeeding

Milk ducts are the channels in your breast that milk flows through to get to the nipple. If a duct gets plugged the best thing to do is keep breastfeeding.

Teen Privacy and Trust

The desire for more privacy is a natural part of adolescence. At the same time, teenagers still need your support to make good decisions. Trust is the key to finding a balance between your child’s need for privacy and your need to know what’s going on.

Manage Your Email Subscriptions:

Get the latest on your favourite healthy living topics sent directly to your inbox. Subscribe to our HealthyFamilies BC newsletter where you will receive up-to-date information on healthy living. Interested in receiving information on a specific topic? Click on the topic(s) in the list below that interest you. You may change your subscription preferences at any time.

General Newsletter

Want to increase your food skills? Receive information, tips and tools to learn how to choose and enjoy nutritious foods.

Positive changes can be made at any age. Receive information about lifestyle supports including those around alcohol and tobacco.

Getting started or staying active? Receive tips, tools and guidelines so you can learn how to fit physical activity into your daily life.

As your child grows you will have questions along the way. Receive information you can trust from pregnancy and the early years.

: testing newsletter

Social and Emotional Milestones

Play and Activity

Social and Emotional Play and Activity

Topic

HealthyFamilies BC Tools

Breastfeeding Buddy

Sodium Sense

Shopping Sense

Sugary Drink Sense

Manage Your Email Subscriptions:

Search Google Appliance

You are here

Babies' Social and Emotional Development from 0-6 Months

Social and Emotional Milestones

Play and Activity

Social and Emotional Play and Activity

Related

Topic

HealthyFamilies BC Tools

Breastfeeding Buddy

Sodium Sense

Shopping Sense

Sugary Drink Sense

Manage Your Email Subscriptions: