During the first six months of life, your infant develops quickly as he begins to interact with the world around him. According to "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development," even very young infants can show emotions to common stimuli. In addition to crying, your baby will demonstrate his increasing emotional skills through facial patterns.
Function
The six basic emotions--surprise, anger, sadness, disgust, fear and happiness, according to the "Cambridge Encyclopedia"--are distinguishable from each other through the contraction of different facial muscles. Around the age of six months, an infant will develop the facial expressions that coincide with these emotions.
Time Line
A newborn can display expressions of disgust when given a bitter-tasting substance, says the "Cambridge Encyclopedia." By three months of age, an infant may start to express joy, and by six months, some infants will develop fearful emotions, often in reaction to unfamiliar adults or surroundings. Distress, triggered by sadness, surprise, discomfort or hunger, is apparent in the newborn and by three months, a parent may be able to identify a slightly different sound to a baby's cries for different needs. Anger may appear around six months of age in instances such as restraining the baby or when a desired object is taken from his hands.
Communication
Infants learn and communicate emotions through touch and sound as well as facial expressions, according to "The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health." Parents can impart feelings of love and security to their baby through cuddling, rocking, gentle stroking and patting. The infant communicates his emotions through smiling, crying or cooing, or by waving his arms and kicking his legs.
Response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that by the age of three months, an infant can smile socially in response to pleasure. She may also demonstrate enjoyment when someone plays with her and she may cry when the playing stops. Around six months, she will enjoy social play more and she will notice other people's facial expressions. At this time, she may begin to take an interest in a mirror image of herself.
Social Development
By six months, your infant may begin to express his feelings in response to basic commands, such as being told "No." He begins to recognize other's emotions by the tone of their voice and he may express affection for his parents or primary caregivers, according to the CDC. In addition, he may appear noticeably pleased when other people are around. He can now successfully express both joy and displeasure.
References
- "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development"; Brian Hopkins; 2005
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health"; Kristine M. Krapp; 2005
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Important Milestones: By the End of Three Months
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Important Milestones: By the End of Seven Months
