A child has recently developed mouthing but has not developed stranger anxiety, likes and dislikes for food. What is the most appropriate age of this child?
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the understanding of developmental milestones in infants, specifically the age-related behaviors associated with normal development. Mouthing and exploring objects is a typical behavior in young infants, while stranger anxiety and preferences for food are signs of more advanced social and emotional development.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The child's behavior suggests that they are likely around 4-6 months old, as mouthing and exploring objects are characteristic of this age group. At this stage, infants are developing their oral motor skills and learning about the world through sensory experiences. Stranger anxiety, on the other hand, typically emerges around 6-9 months of age, as infants become more aware of their surroundings and begin to form attachments to familiar people.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** 2-3 months - At this age, infants are primarily focused on basic reflexes and sensory experiences, and mouthing is just beginning to develop.
**Option B:** 8-10 months - By this age, infants have already developed stranger anxiety and have begun to show preferences for certain foods and toys.
**Option C:** 11-12 months - At this age, infants are more mobile and have developed more complex social and emotional skills, including stranger anxiety and food preferences.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember that normal developmental milestones can vary significantly between infants, and some may develop certain skills earlier or later than others. However, a general understanding of typical age ranges can help clinicians identify potential developmental delays or disorders.
**Correct Answer: D. 6 months.