Mirror play
Parent holds baby in front of a mirror. Agent guides playful discovery of self and other. Baby won't know the reflection is 'self' until ~18 months, but the shared looking builds joint attention and shared joy. Observations track parent-naming and baby's response to the reflected caregiver.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
A full-length mirror or a big hand mirror works. Sit or kneel close enough that your child can see both of you clearly.
How it works
- 1~15s
Point at the mirror and say their name. 'Look! That's your child!' Then point at yourself in the mirror. 'That's Mama!' or 'That's Baba!' Whatever you call yourself.
Watch for: baby_looks_where_parent_points
- 2~30s
Wave at yourselves in the mirror. Smile. See if they smiles back — or at them-self, or at you directly. It all counts.
Watch for: dyad_exchanges_delight_via_mirror
- 3~30s
Plant a kiss on your reflection. Make a little 'mwah' sound. See what they does.
Watch for: baby_engages_with_parents_play_act