12-18 Months: It's About Trust -- Observation Record

How does the baby show that the presence of familiar adults helps him do things?

In the presence of trusted adults, babies feel safe to venture out into their surroundings to experiment and try new things. Still, they look back to their trusted adults to check in, or return more than once for a reassuring touch, word, or smile.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Explore new territory–crawl through a cloth tunnel when he sees a familiar face at the other end ready to meet him.
• Try new things–experiment with new materials only if someone he knows is sitting right beside him.
• Be a bit bold–continue to stack the large cardboard blocks after receiving a reassuring smile from a familiar adult sitting across the room.
• Touch home base–play on the rocky boat, go over to his caregiver and touch his or her leg, then go back to the rocky boat.
• Wait for Mom or Dad–stop playing when his parent leaves the room, then go back to his play when his parent returns.

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

How does the baby respond to unfamiliar adults?

Babies often show worry and discomfort around unfamiliar people. Sometimes they may be both curious and cautious, alternating between approaching and moving away. They look to familiar adults for reassurance as they attempt to figure out what to do.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Play it safe–move to the other side of the room when a new person enters.
• Protest good-byes–cry when his parent leaves him at child care, but slowly settle into play with the caregiver's help.
• Hold on for security–cling to a familiar adult's leg when a new person speaks to him.
• React to an unfamiliar face–cry when he sees a face that is different from what he is used to, for example, someone with a beard.
• Warm up to friendliness–let a new adult get near only when that person does something familiar, such as start a game of peekaboo or play patty-cake.

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