socialisation

The 'socialisation period' occurs in the kitten between approximately two and eight weeks of age. During this period, the kitten learns to accept everything it comes across as 'normal'. After eight weeks of age kittens will tend to be fearful of new things that they come across. This means that it is important for kittens to be exposed to the sights, sounds, smells and textures of as many aspects of the domestic environment as possible during the first eight weeks of their lives. This ensures that the kitten becomes a well-adjusted adult cat that is able to cope with exposure to and interaction with a variety of things.

SOURCE: cats.org.uk