Deepening Connections in Later Infancy: 6 to 12 Months

During the developmental period of 6–12 months, infants deepen and solidify their developing relationships. By 6 or 7 months of age, attachments to and preference for primary caregivers are observable. Infants also begin to exhibit fear of strangers and actively seek proximity to attachment figures during this time. Chapter 4 presents research on typical and atypical social and emotional development for infants between the ages of 6 months and 12 months. It discusses how infants’ new capacity for mobility impacts social and emotional development, particularly in the areas of joint attention, social referencing, stranger anxiety, and understanding of the minds of others. The biobehavioral context of development at this age is discussed as well as caregiver practices that promote healthy social and emotional growth during this time period.