Watch Me Do It
Parent demonstrates a simple object-use action and watches whether child imitates it correctly — using the object as it was designed to be used. Covers observational imitation and object-proper-use milestones at 12-18mo. Three phases: familiar object demo, novel object demo, and spontaneous imitation observation.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Gather 2-3 common objects (spoon + bowl, brush, cup) and one less-familiar object. Sit facing child. Demonstrate clearly, say 'watch me!', perform the action once, then hand the object to child. Do NOT repeat or guide hand-over-hand.
How it works
- 1~40s
Pick up the spoon and pretend-stir the bowl: 'Watch me! Stir, stir, stir.' Then hand the spoon to your child. Does your child stir the bowl too, or do something else with the spoon — bang, throw, mouth it? Tell me exactly what happens. Then try with the brush — demonstrate brushing hair, then hand the brush over.
Watch for: Child uses familiar object in its correct functional way after watching adult
- 2~30s
Now try the less-familiar object — something your child hasn't used much. Demonstrate its proper use clearly once, then hand it over. Does your child try to use it the same way you did? Or explore it first and then find the function? Tell me.
Watch for: Child imitates adult's use of an unfamiliar object
- 3~120s
For the last 2 minutes, bring out something your child has never seen before — any household object that's safe and interesting. Just set it down near your child. Does your child notice it immediately? Reach for it? Try to figure out what it does? Note the engagement quality — curious and persistent, or brief glance and move on? Tell me.
Watch for: Child shows active interest and exploration of a novel object