## 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 form relationships and interact positively with familiar adults who are consistent and responsive to their needs.

#### Skill Progression: Separation

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List of Skills by Age

1-2 Months

No observable skills

2-4 Months

No observable skills

4-6 Months

Differentiates self and adult in mirror by looking and patting

6-8 Months

Cries if adult leaves or stranger appears

8-10 Months

Demonstrates separation distress and stranger anxiety

10-12 Months

Moves away from adult, but maintains eye contact

12-15 Months

Resists control, says, “No.” ”Don’t”; throws temper tantrum to get own way; moves away from adult

15-18 Months

Separation anxiety peaks; vocalizes to an adult from a distance

18-21 Months

Pushes for autonomy and exploration of environment, but still needs to stay in touch with adult

21-24 Months

Alternates between clinging and resistance to familiar adult

24-27 Months

Demonstrates anger or excitement at adult separation and/or upon reunion after separation

27-30 Months

Resists help; desires to do things independently, such as dressing, eating, etc.

30-33 Months

Separation may still be stressful, calms with reassurance and distractions

33-36 Months

Dramatic play may reflect separation or conflicts with adult (punishment of doll)

36-42 Months

Adjusts to separation through interactions with others

42-48 Months

Demonstrates little separation distress

May argue with adult about what he is supposed to do

48-54 Months

No separation distress

Becomes demanding and resists doing chores

54-60 Months

Completely independent in self-care; wants to choose all clothing and activities

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, 2015

©2015 by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.