What is a common social development milestone for infants at 4 months?

At 4 months of age, one significant social development milestone is laughing regularly. This behavior indicates that the infant is beginning to engage socially and is responding to stimuli that bring joy or amusement. The act of laughing involves a level of social interaction and emotional expression that typically develops around this age. It shows that the baby is not only aware of their environment but also capable of enjoying social exchanges with caregivers or other people.

Laughter at this age is often a response to playful interactions, such as tickling or cooing, highlighting the early beginnings of social bonding and communication. This milestone serves as a foundation for more complex social and emotional behaviors that will develop as the child grows, such as increased interaction through games, mimicry, and emotional responses.

In contrast, crawling generally begins around 6 to 10 months, speaking recognizable words typically emerges closer to 12 months or later, and responding to their name usually develops around 6 to 9 months. Thus, regular laughter at 4 months stands out as a key indicator of social development during this period.