WHY BABIES LOVE MIRRORS
A favorite game for babies of all ages is playtime with a mirror. The baby in the above photo sees her image in the glass door and decides to kiss the reflection. Babies see another very little person when they look into the mirror, and we know babies love to see other babies. Sometimes they look behind the mirror to try and find the person they see in the reflection since they do not understand that they are seeing their own reflection. Mirrors are a novel toy for baby which holds an element of mystery and surprise. “Where is this person and what will happen next?”
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE: SELF-RECOGNTION
This sense of independence begins to evolve after the 7th month and is an important cognitive milestone and is often referred to as “self-recognition.” It takes time for baby to learn that the mysterious person they see in the mirror is “me.” Studies were conducted where researchers put rouge on the noses of babies to see if they would learn that the rouge on the nose of the baby in the mirror was also rouge on their nose. The researchers discovered that much of the self-recognition develops between the age of 1 and 2 years.
BABY PLAY WITH A MIRROR
First, remember to practice baby safety. Purchase a mirror that is unbreakable or hold baby in front of a secure wall-mounted mirror such as one in a bathroom above the sink. For young babies you can find small mirror to put near her on the floor so that during tummy-time baby will lift he head and see the sparkle of her moving reflection. Try sitting on the floor with baby on your lap or holding her in your arms in front of a large mirror so she can see her reflection and watch it move as she moves. Much of the fun of mirror play occurs through movement, watching the person move as baby moves. Or, watching mommy move in the mirror. For older babies, use the mirror as a tool for teaching baby a few parts of the body such as “eyes,” “nose,” “ears,” “hair,” and “mouth.” This developmental play is a game that can be played almost anywhere since a mirror can be found in most homes, airport bathrooms, and stores.