At 6 months of age, what social milestone is typically observed?

At 6 months of age, an important social milestone that is typically observed is the ability of infants to feed themselves or hold a bottle. At this developmental stage, many infants begin to develop greater autonomy and dexterity, which allows them to grasp and manipulate objects, including a bottle. This not only reflects their physical growth but also contributes to their social development as they engage in self-feeding, thereby fostering a sense of independence.

While imitating actions, showing fear of strangers, and sorting shapes and colors are important milestones, they typically occur at different ages. Imitation often begins to emerge around 9-12 months, while fear of strangers usually develops later, around 8-9 months, as infants become more aware of social cues and recognize familiar versus unfamiliar faces. Sorting shapes and colors is a cognitive skill that typically appears at a later stage, around 12-24 months, as children begin to engage in more complex play and learning activities. Thus, self-feeding or holding a bottle is the most relevant social milestone for a 6-month-old.