A toddler in a patterned sweatshirt concentrates on stacking colorful translucent blocks at a table, with his reflection visible in a mirror behind the blocks. Photos of children playing are displayed on the wall above.
Your child from 11–23 Months

Social and Emotional Development

How do children develop relationships and understand and express themselves?

How do children develop relationships and understand and express themselves?

  • Communicating emotions and needs in a variety of ways
  • Developing a sense of identity
  • Demonstrating awareness of others' behaviors and interaction styles
  • Developing a sense of self and what they can do
  • Becoming more aware of peers

Each child develops at their own pace and may show some skills earlier or later than others; the videos provide a few examples of how children may demonstrate these skills and concepts.

How do children develop a sense of identity?

Children begin to develop their identity early in life by noticing and naming/labeling their own features.

How do the caregivers support children to explore their identity?

Additional Videos

Foundation 1.2: Recognition of Agency

11–23 Months

Foundation 1.3: Expression of Emotion

11–23 Months

Foundation 1.4: Regulating Emotions and Behaviors

11–23 Months

How do children engage socially with caregivers?

Children engage socially by getting familiar caregivers to respond in a specific way through gestures, vocalizations, and shared attention.

What social skills are the children using to engage with the caregivers?

Additional Videos

Foundation 2.2: Empathy

11–23 Months

Foundation 2.3: Interactions With Caregivers and Other People

11–23 Months

Foundation 2.4: Interactions With Peers

11–23 Months

How do children relate to caregivers as they explore their environment?

Children explore by playing some distance away from a caregiver and moving closer from time to time.

What are the children exploring and how do they check in with caregivers?

Additional Videos

Foundation 3.2: Relationships With Peers

11–23 Months