Question

Discuss the socio-emotional development during infancy.

Answer 1

Socio-emotional development involves understanding and expressing emotions, forming relationships, and developing self-awareness.

1. Attachment Formation:

• Begins early as infants bond with caregivers.
• By 6 to 8 months, babies show clear preference for primary caregivers.
• Separation anxiety and stranger anxiety may appear around 9 months.

2. Emotional Expression:

• Infants show basic emotions such as joy, anger, fear, and surprise.
• By the end of the first year, they begin to show more complex emotions, like shyness or embarrassment.

3. Social Interaction:

• Infants start to smile socially (around 6 weeks).
• By 6 months, they engage in simple social games like peek-a-boo.
• They begin to imitate facial expressions and gestures.
• By 12 to 18 months, toddlers start recognizing themselves in a mirror, showing self-awareness.