When assessing the mental status of an 8-month-old child, which behavior is expected?

Recognizing familiar caretakers is a developmental milestone that typically occurs in infants around 6 to 8 months of age. At this stage, infants begin to develop attachment and social recognition, which allows them to distinguish between their primary caregivers and unfamiliar individuals. This recognition plays a crucial role in their emotional development and helps establish secure attachments.

In contrast, displaying consistent eye contact, responding to simple commands, and showing interest in toys, while also important behaviors in child development, occur at different stages. While infants may start showing interest in toys around this age, the specific recognition of familiar caretakers is a more definitive behavior associated with their mental status at 8 months. Understanding the expected behaviors at this age helps caregivers and clinicians assess normal development and identify any potential concerns early on.