Infancy
Birth–12 months
• Starts naming feelings out loud — "I'm mad," "I'm scared" • Shows empathy, like comforting a crying friend • Plays cooperative pretend games and is starting to take turns • Can manage transitions/waiting with your help • Impulse control is developing but children are still struggling
• Keep caregiving consistent. Same one or two adults for feeding/diapering/naps so care feels predictable — that predictability is what builds attachment. • Narrate everything, “serve and return” style. Talk through care tasks out loud, pause for the baby’s sounds/expressions, then mirror them back before moving on.