1. Understanding Social Development of Infants

2. Social Development and Learning
Social development is the process of learning how to interact and express oneself with others.
Communicate well with others
Connect with others
Show tolerance for others
Closely related to emotional development
Children who have good feelings about themselves relate well with others
Children who relate well to others feel good about themselves.

3. Sending Clear Messages
Cause and Effect is a relationship between events in which one event, the effect, is caused by another event.
Example – coo and smiling causes hugs, praise and laughter
Sending Clear Messages
Consistency
Example – babies become confused if the same behavior leads to different responses

4. Stranger Anxiety
A fear of unfamiliar people, usually expressed by crying
Allow time for the baby to become comfortable with the new person
Never force a baby to be held by an unfamiliar person
Babies may exhibit anxiety with a parent that looks different

5. Social Development Through Play
Learn about the world around them
Strengthen all areas of growth and development
Learn to interact with adults and other children
Caregivers strengthen attachment
Develops motor skills

6. Play from Birth to Six Months
Play with toys baby can grasp
Colorful toys naming the toys colors
Toys that make noise/sound
Gently shake, stretch and exercise the baby’s arms and legs
Follow the baby’s lead – laugh when they laugh, smile…

7. Play from Six to Twelve Months
Peek-a-boo
Encourage baby to crawl to toys
Read simple books to baby
Play silly songs and dance with baby, clap or bounce
Buckets to fill up with water, sand or toys – dump out
After each play activity, reward the baby for success by showing positive responses and praise.

8. Create a Safe Play Environment for Infants
Free of dangers and with toys that are safe and interesting
Safety gates for stairs or to section off safe areas
Babies (0-6 mon)
Toys that are colorful and that move around and make noise
Babies (6-12)
Toys that push or pull

9. Choose Safe Toys Avoid toys with small parts (toilet paper test)
Sturdy
Clean

10. Social Development Through Exploration
Exploration through all senses