7–9 months old: Social development

Social development refers to the ability to build harmonious and positive relationships with others. As kids develop socially, they learn how to communicate and manage their emotions, consider other points of view before acting, resolve conflicts, cooperate, and participate in society. A child’s temperament, primarily determined by genetics, influences how they interact with others from an early age. However, they continue to develop social skills as they grow, learning from personal experiences and the people around them—namely, their parents and family members.

Social development: 7–9 months old

At this age:

• Your baby enjoys games that involve interacting with other children (e.g., rolling a ball back and forth).
• They cover their eyes to signal that they want to play peekaboo.
• They’re becoming more mobile and can interact with others using their body. For instance, they may observe, touch, smile at, imitate, or hold objects out to other people.
• Your baby likes to be with other children and tries to engage with them through affectionate (e.g., stroking, kissing) or aggressive (e.g., biting, hair pulling) behaviours.

• They want to participate in social interactions and will try to delight adults with silly antics, for example. When you laugh and applaud, they’re encouraged to continue this behaviour.
• They’re growing increasingly attached to you.
• Your baby is anxious around people they’ve had little or no contact with (i.e., unfamiliar faces).
• They may cry if they can’t see you for a few minutes.
• They react when they don’t want to do something. For instance, they may get fussy and cry because they don’t want to wear their snowsuit.
• They imitate the behaviours of others and respond to people’s emotions. For example, when you give them a kiss, they may want to kiss you in return and see your reaction. If you respond with a happy smile, they’ll imitate your behaviour the next time you kiss them.
• Your baby intentionally points to the objects they want.
• They shout when they want attention and make urgent, emotional noises to interrupt conversations.
• They can express several emotions, including joy, surprise, anger, sadness, disgust, and fear.
• They enjoy physical games, like when you tickle them intensely, bounce them on your knee, or toss them in the air.
• They’ve latched on to transitional objects (e.g., a security blanket, a stuffed animal) that make them feel safe when you’re away.

Over the next few months, your baby will begin to do the following:

• Demonstrate that they have power over their environment. For instance, they may show you their toy by holding it at arm’s length but not actually give it to you.
• Express jealousy. For example, they may scream when you take care of another child.
• Learn to protect themselves and their belongings.
• Feel anger without it being directed at someone.
• Be less cooperative at mealtime and bedtime.
• Pay attention to what others are doing (e.g., watch someone scribble on a piece of paper).
• Make sure you look when they point to something.
• Be persistent and refuse to be distracted.

How can you help your baby progress?

Every child is different and develops at their own pace. That said, you can help foster your baby’s development by adopting the Comfort, Play, and Teach parenting approach, which can easily be integrated into your daily routine. The table below outlines small, age-specific actions you can take that will benefit your baby’s social development.

Scientific review: Annie Goulet, psychologist Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: March 2020

Photo: GettyImages/LSOphoto