Infant development is a branch of developmental psychology that focuses on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth and changes that occur in infants from birth to about age 2. Researchers in this area study how infants learn to interact with their environment, develop basic motor skills, form attachments to caregivers, and communicate through language and other means. They also investigate how genetic, biological, and environmental factors influence infant development, as well as the importance of early experiences on later development. Overall, the goal of infant development research is to better understand the foundational processes that shape a child’s growth and development during their earliest years of life.