At what age does stranger anxiety typically begin to manifest in children?

Stranger anxiety typically begins to manifest in children around the age of 6 months. This developmental milestone is considered a normal part of emotional growth and attachment. During this period, infants start to recognize and differentiate between familiar faces and those they do not recognize, which can lead to signs of distress or fear when encountering unfamiliar individuals.

This behavior is closely linked to the formation of attachment to primary caregivers, as children become more socially selective and develop a better understanding of their social environment. By around 12 months, stranger anxiety may peak, but the initial signs usually appear around the 6-month mark, making this age significant in the context of typical social-emotional development.

Children may continue to exhibit varying degrees of stranger anxiety as they grow older, but recognition of strangers and the accompanying anxiety begins around the time they start developing attachment behaviors.