Babies are born wired for connection, so Baby is learning about emotions and relationships from day one. They're watching your expressions, listening to your voice, and figuring out the world based on how you respond to them. In the early months, responding to Baby's cues and helping them feel safe and loved are the best ways to support their social-emotional development. These early experiences with you build the foundation for friendships, learning, and mental health later in life.
What are social-emotional skills?
Social-emotional skills are essential for connecting with others! They help us understand and manage emotions, establish positive relationships, and navigate different social environments. These skills are crucial for Baby's overall well-being and success in life.
Some examples of social-emotional skills in use are:
Recognizing if someone is sad, and asking if they're ok
Expressing yourself with your friends in a different way than with your parents
Understanding your thoughts and feelings, and being able to relate to others
The 5 Core Areas of Social-Emotional Skills
There are many skills that fall under social-emotional development. These include self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision-making. Here's what these can look like early on:
Self-Awareness: Recognizing themselves in a mirror; saying "me" and "mine" (~18 months)
Self-Regulation: Being soothed by your voice; slowly developing calming strategies in toddlerhood
Social Awareness: Reading facial expressions; looking to you for safety cues
Relationship Skills: Back-and-forth cooing and smiling — Baby's first "conversations"
Decision-Making: Choosing which toys to engage with by directing their gaze or grabbing intentionally
What to Expect
0–2 Months
Calms to the sound of your voice
Makes eye contact during feedings
2–4 Months
Smiles more at familiar faces
Wiggles with excitement when they see you
Begins to trust you as a reliable, safe presence
4–6 Months
Laughs out loud
Shows clear pleasure and displeasure
Reaches toward familiar people
6–9 Months
Looks to your face for reassurance in new situations
Strong attachment to familiar caregivers
9–12 Months
Waves bye-bye
Plays peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Protests when you leave
12–18 Months
Gives hugs and kisses
Plays alongside (not yet with) other children
Shows early empathy
18–24 Months
"No!" and "Mine!" are very popular words
Begins pretend play
Feels jealousy, pride, and guilt
Very tuned in to your mood
24–36 Months
Starts playing cooperatively with peers
Takes turns in simple games
Uses words to express feelings
Seeks comfort when hurt or upset
How to Support Your Child’s Social-Emotional Development
The most powerful thing you can do is be present, responsive, and consistent.
Respond promptly to Baby's cues
There's no such thing as "spoiling a baby", because they rely on you to fulfill their needs! Every response helps builds trust and secure attachment.
Name emotions out loud
"You look frustrated." "I can see you're excited!" Hearing emotion words helps toddlers learn what they're feeling and "use their words" when they need help regulating them.
Model your own emotions
"I'm feeling frustrated, so I'm going to take a deep breath." Kids learn by watching you, so be sure to model healthy coping strategies for difficult emotions.
Stay calm during meltdowns
"I know you're really upset. I'm right here." Staying calm teaches them how to calm down too.
Play together every day
Face-to-face play, singing, reading, and turn-taking games are powerful tools for emotional growth.
Read books together
Pause and ask, "How do you think they feel?". "Did they look sad when they lost their hat?”. Even young toddlers can start to think about others' emotions.
Encourage independence
Let them try without jumping in. Struggling and succeeding is important for their self-confidence.
Keep routines predictable
Consistent routines reduce anxiety and create the safety children need to grow emotionally.
Limit screens
Screen time is not recommended for babies under 18 months (except video calls with family). For 18–36 months, watch together and talk about what you see. Make plenty of time for unstructured, screen-free play.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Things like tantrums, stranger anxiety, and trouble with sharing are all developmentally normal stages most toddlers grow out of. But talk to your child's healthcare provider if you notice:
No smiling or response to smiling by 3 months
No eye contact or interest in people
No recognition of familiar caregivers
No babbling, pointing, or waving by 12 months
Your child is consistently very hard to soothe
No interest in other children or play
Not imitating actions or words by 18 months
Loss of skills they previously had
Extremely intense or prolonged tantrums past ages 2–3
Your child seems withdrawn or unresponsive to affection
Trust your instincts. You know your child best, so bring up any concerns at your next well-baby visit, or sooner if needed. Early support makes a real difference.
Specialists who may help: occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, child psychologists, developmental pediatricians, and social workers. Your pediatrician can point you in the right direction.