I: Your newborn doesn't understand symbols, so she can't use language to make sense of the world. Physical experiences dominate her intellectual development at first. She notices things that she feels internally, such as hunger and thirst, or that she is aware of through her sensory system.

E: Infancy Emotional/Social Development: Emotional Expression and Understanding. ... In addition, between ages 2 and 6 months, infants express other feelings such as anger, sadness, surprise, and fear. Between ages 5 and 6 months, babies begin to exhibit stranger anxiety.

S: Babies can smile automatically in response to voice and touch from birth to about age 2 months, which encourages caregivers to interact with them. This interaction will increase their mental, emotional, and social growth and learning.

I: That was a time when he learned about the world by touching, looking, manipulating, and listening. Now, as a two-year-old, the learning process has become more thoughtful. His grasp of language is increasing, and he's beginning to form mental images for things, actions, and concepts.

E: Between the ages of 3-4 years, your child will:

S: At this age, your toddler is probably happier playing alongside - rather than with - other children. But it's important to introduce new playmates. Socializing with other children is an excellent way to foster your toddler's social and emotional development.

P: Although physical development in preschoolers is dramatic, the development is slower and more stable than during infancy. Some important influences on physical development during the preschool period include changes in the child's brain, gross and fine motor skills, and health.

I: Cognitive Development in Preschoolers. One of the most important cognitive shifts in the preschool years that occurs between three- to four-year-olds is the development of symbolic thought. Symbolic thought is the ability to mentally or symbolically represent concrete objects, actions, and events.

E: Between the ages of 4-5 years, your child will:

S: Developing the ability to control your emotions and behavior is also a long process.Children continue to develop their social-emotional skills well into their teenage years, or even young adulthood. Below are some of the typical developmental milestones for social-emotional skills.