4-8 Months: It's About Trust -- Observation Record

How does the baby let you know he wants to be with familiar adults?

Babies use sounds and facial expressions to let the important adults in their life know they prefer to be with them. They are likely to show their wants and needs to these adults and try to get responses from the adults who care for them regularly.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Reach out–extend his arms and smile when someone approaches his crib or infant seat.
• Enjoy eye contact–smile when he catches his caregiver's eye.
• Ask for play–bounce up and down on his caregiver's lap to start a game of "horsie."
• Respond to words–babble and laugh as he looks intently into his caregiver's face as she talks with him.
• Call out–make loud sounds to attract the attention of someone in the other room.

How does this baby show he wants to be with you? (Include dates.)

How does the baby respond to unfamiliar adults?

Babies recognize people who care for them by their voices, their physical features, the feel of their touch, and how they hold them. Babies may become distressed when new people try to hold them or play with them. Their responses also depend on their personality, how often they are around new people, and most important, how safe they feel.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Hide from strangers–bury his face in his caregiver's shoulder while she talks to an adult he doesn't know.
• Inspect someone–look curiously at a relative he has not seen for some time.
• Find a familiar face–stop eating and look for an adult he knows when a new person comes into the room.
• Seek comfort–reach his arms out to his caregiver when someone new says "Hello" to him.
• Show distress–look worried and start to fuss when an unfamiliar adult approaches him.

What does this baby do around unfamiliar adults? (Include dates.)