At what age does the social smile typically appear in infants?

The social smile typically appears around 7 weeks of age in infants. This developmental milestone signifies an important change in an infant's social engagement and emotional development. During this time, babies begin to respond to social stimuli, such as the faces of their caregivers, which fosters bonding and interaction.

This ability to smile socially is a reflection of the infant's growing cognitive and emotional capacities, indicating that they are becoming more aware of their surroundings and the people within them. It marks the beginning of more complex social interactions, laying a foundation for emotional communication and relationships as they continue to grow.

The other choices suggest either earlier or later developmental milestones than what is typically observed for the social smile. Understanding this timing can help caregivers and professionals recognize social and emotional development stages in infancy.