In the normative development process, infants earlier than 3 months engage in emotion self regulation tactics that are primarily innate and controlled by physiological mechanisms. These are usually self soothing techniques like crying, sucking, and turning away. 

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This process describes when the infant shifts from being reliant on caregivers for the regulation of emotion to having independent self regulation. This means that the child becomes able to initiate self regulating behaviors on his/her own. 

Normative Development

Calkins, S. D., & Leerkes, E. M. (2004). Early attachment processes and the development of emotional self-regulation. Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications, 324-339.

Early Attachment Processes and the Development of Emotional Self-Regulation

Self Regulation at 3 Months and Younger

This stage in the normative development process is categorized by big changes in the child's emotion self regulation ability. The child now has more predictable routines and can control arousal voluntarily. An important self regulation tactic employed in this stage is self initiated distraction. The child gains the ability to shift their attention from a negative arousal source to a positive one. 

Self Regulation Between 3 and 6 months

In this stage of normative development, children become more active in the self regulation process. They will utilize more motor behaviors that allow them to self sooth like reaching, retreating, and redirecting. They will also become more social in their processes because they realize caregivers will assist them in the self regulation process. 

Self Regulation From 6 to 12 months

In this time, children have completely shifted from passive to active methods of self regulation. They have the ability to employ different strategies to deal with affective states. They start responding to caregivers, so compliance and behavioral self control begin. They also have advanced development in motor and language skills. 

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