w to react to a specific stimulus by processing it through the brain. We experience certain emotions from engaging in positive and negative actions throughout life so when stimulated again we know how to react. During the first hour after birth an emotional tie begins between the infant and mother. From an early age infants are alert to the people around them. From 0-4 months babies show the majority of their emotions through crying. For example, a baby that smiles and is looking around is generally showing signs that they want to interact with others. Not responding to an infants emotional signals can slow down their social development and impede their development of trust. Research has found that without this emotional attachment a baby may have problems communicating with others later on in their development. Attachment theory, which originated in studies of the mother-infant relationship, is widely viewed as having applications across the life span. Researchers have examined the links between quality of attachment to parents and late adolescents' psychological well-being and experiences of romantic love; adults' attitudes toward love and work; and parents' likelihood of establishing secure verses insecure attachments with their own young children (Armsden and Greenberg, 1987; Hazan and Shaver, 1987.) Often at 5- 7 months infants develop a sense of fear or shyness of strangers. Infants at this age will sometimes cling to their parents and will not want to be touched by people who they see as being unfamiliar. From 4-8 months infants begin to express a wider range of emotions. Pleasure, happiness, fear, and frustration are shown through gurgles, coos, and babbling. Babies emotions are show through movements such as kicking, arm waving, rocking and smiling. At 8-18 months babies develop a sense of self. They begin to recognize their image in a mirror and start to become more independent. Babies at this stage have a wide range of emotio...
