Final Answer:
At about 1 month, infants begin to smile, even infants who are visually impaired. Therefore, The correct option is a) 1 month; visually impaired because social smiling in infants is not solely dependent on visual stimuli. Around 1 month of age, infants develop the capacity for social smiles, indicating an awareness of social interactions and responsiveness to auditory cues.
Step-by-step explanation:
At around 1 month of age, infants generally begin to show social smiles, even those who are visually impaired. The development of the ability to smile is a crucial milestone in a baby's social and emotional development. It is important to note that smiling is not solely a response to visual stimuli; it also involves the recognition of auditory cues and the ability to engage in social interactions. Therefore, visually impaired infants can still demonstrate this social behavior, highlighting the multifaceted nature of early social development.
During the first month, infants primarily exhibit reflex smiles, which are spontaneous and not necessarily related to external stimuli. However, as early as 1 month, social smiles emerge, indicating the infant's increasing ability to engage with and respond to their environment. This behavior is not exclusive to infants with typical vision; even those who are visually impaired can display social smiles as a sign of early social and emotional awareness.
The development of social smiling is a crucial aspect of understanding how infants form connections and bonds with their caregivers, emphasizing the importance of non-visual stimuli in early social development.
In conclusion, the ability of infants to smile emerges around 1 month, and this developmental milestone is not limited to those with typical vision. Even infants who are visually impaired can engage in social smiling, demonstrating the intricate interplay of sensory and social development during the early stages of life. This insight contributes to a broader understanding of infant development and underscores the importance of considering diverse experiences in studying early childhood milestones.