Ages 6‑9 Months

Social and Emotional Development

  • Respond when your toddler shows that he or she wants help or attention.
  • Hold and comfort your toddler, especially when she or he is upset, sick, or hurt.
  • Play with your toddler and invite others to play too. Join a playgroup.
  • Have your toddler eat at the table with you and others.
What Your Toddler is Likely to Do
  • Play social games, such as peekaboo or patty cake.
  • Want to take part in activities with people.
  • Point to things for a reason.
  • Seek attention.
  • Show strong feelings about likes and dislikes.
  • Laugh.
  • Not want to be away from you or other caregivers.
  • Show fear (possibly by crying) if scared.
Other Things Your Toddler May Do
  • Show fear of people she or he doesn’t know.
  • Begin copying what he or she sees, such as sticking out his or her tongue.
  • Show she or he feels some control. For example, your toddler may show you a toy but won’t give it to you.
  • Learn to protect him‑ or herself and his or her things.
  • Won’t do something she or he doesn’t want to do. For example, your toddler may push a spoon away when you try to feed her or him.
  • Focus when doing something, ignoring other things that are going on.
  • Look worried about loud noises, such as vacuum cleaners, loud stern voices, or banging.
  • Show clear likes or dislikes for certain people, objects, or places.
  • Be sensitive to other children and perhaps cry if they cry.
  • React to other people’s moods. If you are sad, your toddler may cry. If you are happy, your toddler may laugh along with you.
How You Can Help Social and Emotional Development
  • Continue to respond when your toddler shows that she or he wants help or attention.
  • Keep to regular routines.
  • Model good manners: use “please” and “thank you.”
  • Play “seeking” games to help your toddler understand he or she is not part of you: “Where’s Liam?”
  • Play with your toddler and invite others to play too.
  • Join a playgroup for parents and toddlers.
  • Follow your toddler’s lead. Let your toddler decide what to do.
  • Go slowly. Help your toddler approach new people by following his or her pace.
  • Have your toddler eat at the table with you and others.
  • Continue to breastfeed.
  • Smile at your toddler.
  • Hold and comfort your toddler, especially when she or he is upset, sick, or hurt.
  • Create and stick to routines.