What is a common emotional reaction of infants when they become frustrated?

When infants experience frustration, a common emotional reaction they exhibit is having tantrums. Tantrums are a natural response to the inability to communicate their needs or desires effectively. In the developmental stages, infants may not yet have the language skills or understanding to express their emotions verbally, leading to physical demonstrations of their frustration.

These tantrums can manifest in various ways, such as crying, screaming, throwing objects, or even engaging in physical outbursts. This behavior serves as a way for an infant to express overwhelming emotions and seek comfort or assistance from caregivers. It's important for caregivers to recognize that tantrums are part of normal development and can be a signal that the infant needs help in managing their feelings or that their needs are not being met. By responding appropriately, caregivers can help infants learn to cope with frustration in healthier ways as they grow.

In contrast, showing empathy, developing self-concept, and sharing with others are traits that typically emerge later in childhood as social and emotional development progresses. Infants, while capable of forming attachments, do not yet have the cognitive ability to empathize or share with others, nor do they have a fully formed sense of self.