Mirror Giggles
Parent places baby in front of a mirror and uses funny gestures, tickling, and vocal games to spark laughter and self-recognition. The agent coaches the parent to observe mirror reactions, social laughter, and engagement with reflection.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Baby held or seated securely in front of a mirror, able to see their own reflection and parent's face. Mirror should be safe and at baby's eye level.
How it works
- 1~30s
Hold your child up so they can see themself in the mirror. Point to their reflection and say, 'Look, your child! Who's that?' Watch their face closely. Does your child notice the reflection? Does they smile at it, reach for it, or stare with curiosity? Some babies get really excited when they see themselves. Tell me what happens.
Watch for: Baby reacts when seeing themselves in a mirror — smiling, reaching, vocalizing, or showing curiosity about the reflection.
- 2~35s
Now let's make your child laugh! While you're both looking in the mirror, make silly faces — stick your tongue out, puff your cheeks, make big round eyes. You can also try gentle tickling under their chin or on their tummy while watching the mirror. Does your child laugh out loud? Does they watch your silly face in the mirror? Tell me what gets the biggest reaction.
Watch for: Baby laughs out loud in response to funny faces, tickling, or playful interaction in front of the mirror.
- 3~30s
Let's try one more thing. Point to your child's reflection in the mirror and say their name — 'your child! That's your child!' Then point to yourself and say your name. Does your child look where you're pointing? Does they seem to understand that the reflection is connected to themself? Watch for any signs — looking down at their own hands after seeing them in the mirror, touching their own face, or looking back and forth between the mirror and you. Tell me what you observe.
Watch for: Baby shows signs of connecting the mirror reflection to themselves — touching own face, looking at own hands, or comparing real and reflected images.