Social and emotional growth from age 1-2

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One-year-olds are just learning to recognise and manage their feelings. They experience a wide range of emotions and get upset when they are tired or frustrated. They may also respond to conflict by hitting, biting, screaming or crying. One-year-olds seek autonomy and may say ‘No!’ to adult suggestions or insist that they ‘Do it byself!’ Then, moments later, they might cling to an adult's leg or ask for help.

Emotional development

These are emotional development signs you can expect:

• Shows pleasure when familiar adults are nearby. Has developed close attachments with parents and other frequent caregivers; uses these relationships as a secure base to explore (e.g. digs in the sandpit but runs back to dad for a cuddle from time to time).
• Knows own name. Uses ‘my’ and ‘me’ often, and with pride; for example, says, ‘MY mama!’ Shows beginning signs of self-consciousness (e.g. hides behind a chair and looks ashamed after breaking an ornament).
• Is keenly observant of others’ emotional reactions. Checks parent’s facial expressions (e.g. considers climbing up a ladder at the playground, but first looks back at mother's face for encouragement or warning).
• Experiences a wide range of emotions (e.g. affection, frustration, fear, anger, sadness). Tends to express and act on impulses; has tantrums when tired or frustrated. With adult help, begins to use strategies to control emotional expression (e.g. goes to get teddy bear or another comfort object when upset so she can calm down).

Social development

These are social development signs you can expect:

• Is aware of others. Enjoys exploring objects with adults as a basis for establishing relationships (e.g. plays peekaboo over and over again with grandmother).
• May make simple overtures to familiar children (e.g. looks for and smiles at children at the shops, offers a toy or hug to another child whether or not the gesture is welcome).
• Shows ‘contagious distress’ when others are unhappy (e.g. at child care, starts to cry when she sees another child crying).
•  When a conflict occurs with another child or adult, she often acts out physically or emotionally (e.g. another child grabs Sara's shovel, so she pushes the child and screams). Calms down when an adult helps resolve the conflict.

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