Social Emotional Milestones

Social-emotional skills are the tools we use to understand feelings, get along with others, and make good choices. They help kids stay calm when things are hard, show empathy, and build healthy relationships. Milestones show what skills are appropriate for each age range that relate to social emotional development.

0-3 months

  • Looks at adult face

  • interacts by smiling and cooing

  • Recognizes familiar faces and objects

  • Stops crying when picked up

  • Expresses feelings such as anger, excitement or hunger

Fun Fact:

Babies are soothed by the sound and smell of familiar caregivers.

3-6 months

  • Comforts self (eg. sucks hand or thumb)

  • Expresses desire to be picked up

  • Smiles at own image in mirror

  • interacts different with caregivers and strangers

  • initiates social contact

Fun Fact:

Board books help to stimulate a child’s senses. They have simple pictures, bright colors, and interactive elements like textured sections.

6-9 months

  • Extends arms to familiar persons

  • Shows preference for certain toys and activities

  • Expresses affection

  • Plays simple games (eg peek a boo)

  • Responds different to children and adults

Fun Fact:

Social interaction (like talking and reading to babies) enhances learning and development. 

9-12 months

  • imitates facial expressions, actions and sounds

  • Repeats activity that gets positive response from others

  • Brings toys to share with caregiver

  • Plays well for a brief time in groups of 2 or 3

  • Uses soft toys or blanket for comfort

Fun Fact:

Babies are attracted to faces, bright colors and movement.

1-1.5 years

  • separates from caregiver in familiar setting without crying

  • attempts to comfort others in destress

  • Wants to do many things without help

  • Enjoys simple make believe

  • When faced with a new situation looks to caregiver

Fun Fact:

Pat-a -cake and bubbles are good interactive activities to play with younger children.

Fun Fact:

Children learn by example. Before they have the motor movement to do actions they are taking in the model parents provide.

1.5 - 2 years

  • Shows pride in accomplishments

  • Listens to stories, music or tv shows

  • Sings familiar songs

  • Uses please and thank you

  • Asks for help when having difficulty

Fun Fact:

Play groups are an excellent way for children to learn behavior and new words.

2 - 2.5 years

  • Looks at people when speaking to them

  • Usually takes turns

  • Recognizes with others are happy or sad

  • Avoids common dangers

  • Claims certain items at their own

2.5- 3 years

  • Shows affection to younger children by hugging or kissing

  • Repeats rhymes, songs and dances for others

  • Changes activities when requested

  • Interacts appropriately with others in group activities

  • Shows independence

Fun Fact:

Children are natural scientists.

3- 3.5 years

  • Shares toys

  • Plays group board or card games

  • Volunteers for tasks

  • Quiets down after active play

  • Participates in circle games

Fun Fact:

The first three years of life are crucial for brain development, with the brain growing most rapidly during this period. 

3.5- 4 years

  • Returns objects to their appropriate place

  • Accepts friendly teasing

  • Can explain rules of a game to others

  • Expresses anger with words

  • Shows empathy for others

Fun Fact:

4-year-old typically has a vocabulary of about 1000 words

4- 4.5 years

  • Offers and exchanges activities

  • Accepts valid criticism

  • Asks before using others things

  • Talks about own feelings

  • Shows pride in accomplishments

Fun Fact:

Children are predisposed to enjoy sweet flavors more in their early years.

4.5- 5 years

  • Offers assistance to others

  • Helps with group projects

  • Says “excuse me” to interrupt

  • Likes competitive games

  • Responds appropriately to social situations

Fun Fact:

Children are predisposed to enjoy sweet flavors more in their early years.

5- 6 years

  • Apologizes for hurting others feelings

  • Completes pencil/paper games

  • Remains calm when small requests are denied

  • Can relay a message to another person

Fun Fact:

Children are predisposed to enjoy sweet flavors more in their early years.

“You are your best thing.”

- Toni Morrison

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