Social and emotional development milestones

Question 1

0-3 months

Answer 1

1month- focuses on human faces with interest
6 weeks- smiles

Question 2

3 months

Answer 2

Cries when alone
Enjoys being held in spoken to
Indiscriminate attachment

Question 3

6 months

Answer 3

Recognises emotions in others and responds
Likes being held and played with

Question 4

9 months

Answer 4

Wary of strangers
Prefers being with parents/carers - specific and multiple attachments
Imitates, others, actions

Question 5

12 months

Answer 5

Enjoy simple games with adults
Stays close to familiar adults
Enjoy the company of familiar adults and siblings

Question 6

15 months

Answer 6

Emotionally dependent on parents and key person
Dislikes, parents or carers being out of sight
May follow adults out of rooms
Enjoys being played with

Question 7

18 months

Answer 7

Is emotionally dependent on parents and carers
Imitates actions of adults
Plays alone by enjoys being played with adults and siblings
Wants immediate attention

Question 8

2 years

Answer 8

Can be distracted from some early tensions
Has no understanding of waiting for needs to be met
Plays in parallel with others, but cannot share toys

Question 9

2 1/2 years

Answer 9

is highly dependent on adults
Can be jealous of other children gaining adult attention
Has tantrums when frustrated
Is impulsive and restless
Enjoys adult attention and praise

Question 10

3 years

Answer 10

I is starting to take turns and share for short periods
Enjoys being with other children and may have some friendship preferences
Find it easier to wait and understand why it might not be possible for wishes to be granted
Will comfort other children

Question 11

3-4 years

Answer 11

Comforts children who are in distress
Will now have clear, friendship preferences may have, many of which will be the same sex

Question 12

4-5 years

Answer 12

Understand the needs of rules
It’s starting to develop the theory of mind
Begins to enjoy sharing with others
Enjoys having friends, and it’s upset if friends are not available
Is able to separate more easily from parents/carers

Question 13

5-8 years

Answer 13

Enjoys having rules and reminding others of rules
Is starting to understand the difference between behaviours that are accidental rather than done on purpose
Is protective towards young children
Has strong friendship that are likely to be the same sex
Is able to stay overnight with relatives and friends