Social and Emotional SkillsSocial and Emotional Skills at 2 months Begins to smile at peopleCan self-calm (may suck hand or thumb)Tries to look at parent Social and Emotional Skills at 4 months Smiles spontaneously, especially at peopleLikes to play with people and might cry when playing stopsCopies some movements and facial expressions, like smiling or frowning Social and Emotional Skills at 6 months Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a strangerLikes to play with others, especially parentsResponds to other people’s emotions and often seems happyLikes to look at self in a mirror Social and Emotional Skills at 9 months May be afraid of strangersMay be clingy with familiar adultsHas favorite toys Social and Emotional Skills at 12 months Is shy or nervous with strangersCries when mom or dad leavesHas favorite things and peopleShows fear in some situationsHands you a book when he wants to hear a storyRepeats sounds or actions to get attentionPuts out arm or leg to help with dressingPlays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake” Social and Emotional Skills at 18 months Likes to hand things to others as playMay have temper tantrumsMay be afraid of strangersShows affection to familiar peoplePlays simple pretend, such as feeding a dollMay cling to caregivers in new situationsPoints to show others something interestingExplores alone but with parent close by Social and Emotional Skills at 2 years Copies others, especially adults and older childrenGets excited when with other childrenShows more and more independenceShows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to)Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games Social and Emotional Skills at 3 years Copies the behavior of adults and friendsShows affection for friends without promptingTakes turns in gamesShows concern for crying friendUnderstands the idea of “mine” and “his” or “hers”Shows a wide range of emotionsSeparates easily from mom and dadMay get upset with major changes in routine Social and Emotional Skills at 4 years Cooperates with other childrenEnjoys doing new thingsPlays “Mom” and “Dad”Is more and more creative with make-believe playWould rather play with other children than by himselfCooperates with other childrenTalks about what she likes and what she is interested in Social and Emotional Skills at 5 years Wants to please and be like friendsLikes to be center of attentionMore likely to agree with rulesLikes to sing, dance, and actShows concern and sympathy for othersIs aware of genderShows more independenceIs sometimes demanding but sometimes very cooperative