Mary Ann is 9 months old. Her mom dressed her up in her new Christmas outfit and took her to get a picture with Santa. Her mom was disappointed that Mary Ann reacted to Santa with fear instead of excitement. What emotional development is Mary Ann displaying?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mary Ann's fear of Santa is a sign of stranger wariness, which typically begins to develop around 6 months of age. This is a normal and healthy part of emotional development as a baby becomes more aware of their environment and the people in it. It does not indicate anything negative about Mary Ann's relationship with her mother or her overall emotional development.

Mary Ann Is 9 Months Old