- Explores the environment, interacts with others and plays confidently while their parent/carer or key person is close by, using them as a secure base to return to for reassurance if anxious or in unfamiliar situations
- Shows empathy by offering comfort that they themselves would find soothing, eg their comfort object
- Enjoys playing alone and alongside others and is also interested in being together and playing with other children
- Will often watch, follow and imitate each other in their play and will experiment with influencing others, co-operating together and also resisting coercion in their interactions
- Asserts their own ideas and preferences and takes notice of other people’s responses
- Will sometimes experience long periods of social engagement as overwhelming and may withdraw or collapse with frustration
