Social / Emotional

Children 8-12  months generally are able to do the following:

• Shows anxiety with strangers 
• Cries when caregiver leaves the room 
• Enjoys imitating people in their play (e.g., words and sounds) 
• May protest falling asleep 
• Prefers interacting with people instead of toys and objects 
• Uses body and sounds to express emotions 
• Begins to independently use self-calming strategies (e.g., by putting pacifier in mouth) 
• Accepts small changes in routine without getting upset 
• Looks to caregiver for approval or reassurance 
• Engages in back and forth vocal play with an adult 
• Hands over toys to adult or peers 
• Seeks preferred playmates
• Shows increasing range of emotions in facial expressions
• Responds to trusted adult during caregiving routines 
• Smiles and turns head to look at person laughing
• Shares spontaneously with adults (e.g., feeding, holding a toy up to show)