Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Aug 10.
Published in final edited form as: Int Rev Res Dev Disabil. 2011 Oct 19;40:229–259. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-374478-4.00009-5

Table 9.3.

Developmental sequence of appropriate social behaviors by developmental level

Social behaviors Expected age of accomplishment
Expresses a variety of emotions (including happiness, sadness, interest, surprise, anger, fear, disgust) By the age of 6 months
Demonstrates a predictable social smile (i.e, smile that is clearly directed or shared with another person) By the age of 6 months
Matches the emotions expressed by an adult in face-to-face interactions By the age of 6 months
Shows nervousness with strangers (and therefore is differentiating familiar and unfamiliar people) Between 7 and 12 months
Relies on caregiver to be a secure base while exploring environment Between 7 and 12 months
Uses social referencing (looking back at caregiver) in order to pick up cues about how to react in new situations Between 7 and 12 months
Readily joins in play with familiar children, such as siblings, cousins, and so on Between 13 and 18 months
Recognizes image of self in mirrors and pictures Between 13 and 18 months
Begins to show empathy for others (by trying to comfort others or directing sympathetic facial expressions to others who are hurt or unhappy) Between 13 and 18 months
Able to follow simple directions given by familiar caregiver Between 13 and 18 months
Expresses more subde, more complex emotions, such as shame and embarrassment Between 19 and 24 months
Verbally expresses a variety of emotion words Between 19 and 24 months
Begins to use communication as a tool for self-regulation Between 19 and 24 months
Uses own name and personal pronouns Between 19 and 24 months
Understands basic categories that are associated with people, such as age and sex Between 19 and 24 months
Distinguishes between intentional and unintentional acts by self and others Between 2 and 3 years
Shows ability to be cooperative with caregivers Between 2 and 3 years
Shows emerging understanding of how actions cause feelings and vice versa Between 2 and 3 years
Expression of complex emotions (such as shame, embarrassment, guilt, pride) increases Between 3 and 5 years
Engages in first friendships Between 3 and 5 years

Adapted from Berk (1996).