MilestoneSocial· 2mo–3mo

Crying to Communicate Needs

Baby cries when hungry, wet, tired, or wants to be held

Medium (60%)

What the research says

Referenced across 1 developmental framework: asq_3

Full quotes, source languages, and document links coming soon as we finish the source-evidence indexing pass.

Prerequisites

Foundational skill — no prerequisites indexed.

How it's taught

asq_3

Observe across different need states

Materials: Natural caregiving situations

What mastery looks like

Not yet

Does not cry to communicate needs

  • Silent when uncomfortable
  • No distress signals
Emerging

Occasionally cries when uncomfortable

  • Inconsistent crying
  • Delayed response to discomfort
Developing

Sometimes cries to signal needs

  • Inconsistent communication
  • Some needs not signaled
Secure

Regularly cries to communicate various needs

  • Consistent crying for needs
  • Clear distress signals
Reflexive

Crying is well-established communication

  • Differentiated cries
  • Immediate signaling

Activities for this (1)

social0mo–3mo

Soothing After Vaccines

Parent uses gentle touch, voice, and movement to comfort baby after a vaccine, observing how baby responds to different soothing techniques. The agent coaches the parent to notice self-regulation attempts, comfort-seeking behaviors, and recovery from distress — building emotional co-regulation skills.

Formal assessments

No matching assessment items indexed yet.