From birth to 1 year of age, infants constantly change and develop new skills. A baby's emotional and social development is just as important as physical and cognitive development. Growing up in a safe and loving environment enhances an infant's emotional development. It's important to note that each baby develops at a different pace and each child is programmed with a unique personality.
Types of Infant Development
According to Medline Plus, normal infant development is broken down into the following categories: language, sensory, social, fine motor and gross motor skills. Motor development involves physical milestones such as sitting, holding a spoon and walking. Emotional and social development lead to the ability to interact and form relationships with other people.
Emotional and Social Development
Infants exposed to a nurturing environment by at least one stable and supportive adult are more likely to overcome challenges and form better relationships with other people, according to Zero to Three, the website of the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families. From birth to 1 year of age, important social and emotional developmental milestones exist and are important to be aware of.
Milestones
Social and emotional milestones are just as important for infants as cognitive and physical ones. According to the March of Dimes, by 3 months of age most babies are able to smile at the sound of a familiar voice, enjoy playing with other people and babble or imitate sounds; by 1 year of age most babies can play peek-a-boo with other people, respond to their name, wave bye-bye and try to imitate other people.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a normal stage of infant development and occurs when a baby is separated from a primary caregiver, resulting in fear or anxiety. According to Medline Plus, separation anxiety occurs in normal development around the ages of 8 to 14 months old, typically ends at about 2 years of age and is overcome by feeling safe, trusting caregivers and trusting people other than primary caregivers.
Bonding
Bonding with a parent or caretaker is essential for healthy emotional and social development in infants. According to the Nemours Foundation, studies involving monkeys showed that baby monkeys who were allowed to interact and bond with their mothers were better socialized and less likely to experience despair and failure to thrive than baby monkeys exposed to mannequins; scientists hypothesize that human bonding, or lack thereof, has a similar effect.
Physical Closeness
Different types of physical closeness with a parent or caregiver can enhance an infant's emotional development, sense of security and even physical development. Skin-to-skin contact, or holding a baby against a parent's skin, with newborns can help with attachment and bonding, according to the Nemours Foundation. Other types of beneficial physical closeness include cradling, rocking, gently stroking a baby's skin or gentle infant massage.
