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Chapter 10 Social-Emotional Development in the First Year 279
signals change in the following ways throughout
the fi rst year:
• Signals begin as early as two weeks after
birth. Smiles with expressive eyes often
occur around the fi fth or sixth week.
• From three to six months, infants become
even better at understanding and sending
social signals. They also begin to distinguish
between those who care for them and
strangers.
• Once infants have better arm and hand
control and can easily creep, they initiate
social contact. For example, infants may
follow other family members around the
house. Infants will also reach with their
arms to signal they want to be held.
Interacting with Adults
Babies thrive most when they are held, talked to,
cuddled, and comforted. They are often happier
babies, crying less than those who receive little
attention. Parents and caregivers help their baby’s
intellectual development, as well as social devel-
opment, by providing lots of loving care. At this
stage, parents are in Galinsky’s nurturing stage of
parenting (Figure 10.3).
Grandparents, friends, babysitters, and others
are helpful to a baby’s total development. When
these people care for and show an interest in them,
babies learn to understand and trust others, which
helps expand their social environment.
If the baby’s fi rst relationships are negative
due to parental depression, confl icts in the home,
or other crises, social connections in the baby’s
brain do not form properly. This is because “serve
and return” relationships are faulty. In these faulty
relationships, the adult does not “serve,” or when
the child “serves,” the adult either does not return
or returns without sensitivity.
Interacting with Other Children
Infants enjoy being around siblings (brothers
and sisters) and other children, and tend to watch
and follow them. Infants learn from older children
and like to play with older children’s toys. Older
children can learn lessons in loving and caring for
others from infants, too. All children benefi t in
these relationships.
Showing Attachment
Attachment is closeness between people that
remains over time. As you may recall, bonding
(developing a feeling of affection) is a special
Figure 10.3 Galinsky’s
nurturance parenting tasks
include balancing a baby’s
needs with personal needs and
providing loving and consistent
care to a baby. How do you
think parenting tasks change
as a child ages?