Final answer:
Language development is not considered a critical element of social and emotional development during the first year of life; rather, it is crucial to cognitive development. Social and emotional milestones include attachment to caregivers, emotional expressions, and social interactions with peers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critical elements of social and emotional development during the first year of life are fundamental for a child's future well-being. Among the choices provided, C) Language development does not include a critical element of social and emotional development during infancy, although it is a vital aspect of cognitive development. Social and emotional development primarily involves forming attachments to caregivers, displaying emotional expressions, and engaging in social interactions with peers. The bond or attachment that infants develop with their caregivers is a cornerstone of social and emotional growth, influencing their view of the world as a safe and predictable place or as unpredictable and anxiety-inducing.
Healthy attachments enable children to develop trust and security, which are crucial at this stage, according to Erikson's (1963) theory of trust versus mistrust. Emotional expressions help caregivers understand and respond to a child's needs, while social interactions, even in their nascent stages, begin to lay the groundwork for later social behaviors and skills. However, while language contributes to development, it does not directly form part of a child's early social and emotional milestones but rather is a part of cognitive development that advances significantly after the first year.