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 kindness and empathy, and build strong, healthy relationships. Milestones show what skills are appropriate for each age range that relate to social emotional development.
2 months
Calm down when spoken to or picked up
Look at your face
Seem happy to see you when you walk up to them
Smile when you talk to or smile at them
Fun Fact:
Babies see in black in white at birth. A week after birth they can see about 8 inches away.
4 months
Smile on their own to get your attention ‘
Chuckle when you try to make them laugh
Look at you, move, or make sounds to get or keep your attention
Fun Fact:
Board books help to stimulate a child’s senses. They have simple pictures, bright colors, and interactive elements like textured sections.
6 months
Know familiar people •
Like to look at themselves in a mirror •
Laugh
Fun Fact:
Social interaction (like talking and reading to babies) enhances learning and development.
9 months
Are shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
Show several facial expressions ie happy, sad, angry,
Look when you call their name
React when you leave (looking, reaching, crying)
Smile or laugh when you play peek-a-boo
Fun Fact:
Babies are attracted to faces, bright colors and movement.
1 year
Play simple games with you
Fun Fact:
Pat-a -cake and bubbles are good interactive activities to play with younger children.
18 months (1.5 years)
A child may move away from you, but look to make sure you’re close
Point to show you something interesting
Put hands out for you to wash them
Look at a few pages in a book with you
Help you dress them by pushing limbs into clothing
Fun Fact:
Children learn by example. Before they have the motor movement to do actions they are taking in the model parents provide.
2 years
Notice when others are hurt or upset
Look at your face to see how to react in a new situation
Fun Fact:
Play groups are an excellent way for children to learn new beahaviors and sounds.
30 months (2.5 years)
Play next to other children and sometimes play with them
Show you what they can do ie, “look at me!”
Follow simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys
Fun Fact:
Children are natural scientists.
3 years
Calm down within 10 minutes after leaving them
Notice other children and join them to play
Fun Fact:
The first three years of life are crucial for brain development, with the brain growing most rapidly during this period.
4 years
Engages in pretend play
Ask to go play with children if none are around, like “can I play?”
Comfort others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
Avoids danger
Like to help others
Change behavior based on where they are
Fun Fact:
4-year-old typically has a vocabulary of about 1000 words
5 years
Follow rules or take turns when playing games with others
Sing and dance
Do simple chores at home
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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