North Carolina Early Learning and Development Progressions: Birth to Five

Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Emotional and Social Development (ESD)

Subdomain: Developing a Sense of Self with Others

Goal: Children demonstrate the social and behavioral skills needed to successfully participate in groups.

Skill Progression: Social awareness and conscience

Age: 6-8 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 6-8 Months.

Demonstrates intentional two-way communication or turn taking

Situations for Observation of Skill

Observe the infant in interaction with an adult who is talking to the infant.

Elicitation Strategy

Ask the adult to imitate the infant’s sounds. Give the infant several seconds to respond before repeating the interaction.

Behavior Observed

When the infant makes sounds and the adult imitates these sounds within the child’s repertoire, the infant is stimulated to repeat the sounds to get another response. This is the beginning of a conversation.

Routines-based Intervention (Embedded Instruction)

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to have conversations with the infant by taking turns with sounds. Have the adult imitate the infant’s sounds. Give the infant several seconds to respond before repeating the interaction. It is important for adults to begin this early turn taking in talking and in play.

 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

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