Beginning of Social Behaviour - Social Behaviour Development: 0–2 Years

Topics

Introduction
Month-wise Social Behaviour
Real-Life Application
Key Point Summary

CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

Social behaviour in babies develops step by step in the first two years of life. Each month, infants learn new ways to connect with people around them.

CISCE: Class 12

Month-wise Social Behaviour

Month	What Happens?
1st	The baby reacts to the human voice by making sucking movements.
2nd	Stops crying when picked up; turns to a human voice. Starts smiling back (social smile).
3rd	Stops crying when talked to. Shows interest in people and cries when a person leaves. Recognizes mother.
4th	Makes body ready when being lifted; pays attention to faces; smiles back at the person talking.
5th–6th	Reacts differently to smiling or scolding. Knows familiar voices. Fears strangers. Shows interest in others’ cries.
6th–8th	Stays in touch with other children by looking and smiling at them.
8th–9th	Tries to copy others’ speech and simple actions or gestures.
9th–13th	Pulls hair or clothes of other babies. Fights for toys. Cares more about other babies than adults. Stops when told “No, no.” Cries if strangers are angry.
13th–18th	More interested in playing with children than with toys. Fights for toys. Shows negativism (says “No” a lot).

CISCE: Class 12

Real-Life Application

If a baby hears someone cry by 5–6 months, the baby pays attention. At 9–13 months, pulling another baby’s hair or fighting over toys shows the baby is learning how to behave with others.

CISCE: Class 12

Key Point Summary

Social behaviour starts with reacting to voices, then to faces, and grows to imitation and playing with others.
Babies begin to copy actions and show interest in other babies before their first year is over.
By 18 months, saying “No” and fighting for toys are common.