The discovery of the mirror is an important step for the awakening of babies. When and how do they come to understand that they see themselves in their mirror?
Babies go through many stages of psychomotor development. The discovery of shapes, colors, sounds, taste… but also language, and all motor skills, are eagerly awaited by parents.
The mirror step is one of those key steps, it’s a very fun and very important moment. The first time a baby sees himself, he can have strange reactions. Whether in the entrance mirror, in the bathroom or in a game, discovering his reflection is a central moment of awakening for your baby.
But why is it so important? When a baby recognizes himself in a mirror, he passes the “I” stage. The child begins to differentiate himself from others, from external elements, from his parents to become a whole person. Looking at her reflection in her parents’ arms, he will gradually feel safe and observe his entire environment through the mirror. But this recognition is the result of a whole process…
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Recognizing yourself in the mirror: the stages age by age
There are several steps to go through for your child to recognize himself in a mirror and they are often done according to age :
- 2 to 4 months : your baby reproduces your emotions, for example when you smile, he smiles, you are your child’s first mirror. From then on, he begins to understand that he is different from you. Both of you are not one and the same person.
- From 6 to 9 months : if you put your child in front of a mirror, he will see his reflection but without realizing that it is him. At this point, he will think it’s another child but be confused by the similarities between the image and him in the face and body. He will try to make gestures to see if in the mirror, his reflection does the same thing.
- From 9 to 15 months : your child is no longer disturbed, he seeks contact with the baby in the mirror. He plays the situation while not understanding that it’s him inside. If someone else stands in front of the mirror, he will smile at it but without perceiving that it is a duplicate.
- 15 to 18 months : Your child begins to understand that it is him in the mirror but he no longer seeks contact with him, on the contrary. He is a little embarrassed by the image he sees!
- From 18 to 24 months : All these steps are over and the miracle happens: your little one recognizes himself in the mirrors. He knows that he is a being in his own right, the development of his personal consciousness is on the way!
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Ideas for activities to entertain your baby with a mirror
You can set up games for fun! Many toys and books have small mirrors, but you can also add one in the back seat of your car for fun on the road. Position it on the back of the seat so that it faces your baby’s seat, on all models straps are available to attach it in complete safety. It’s a toy like any other and it’s often the favorite of children!
The more he grows, the more his eyesight increases, so you can stimulate him by offering to look at you and chat through the rear view mirror, he will be busy and at the same time the awakening will be quite natural.
You can also install mirrors in your baby’s room, it’s both a decoration and a fun activity to do. Stand in front of the mirror and talk with him about his image and yours, ask him questionsstimulate him so that he discovers this new activity.
In the Montessori method, mirrors are installed near the ground to develop your children’s motor skills and so that they can see their whole body. You can try this technique by offering games to your child to do in front of the Montessori-style mirror. The opinions on this method are very encouraging and positive!
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La Redoute – Floor mirror with grab bar
La Redoute261
The price offers are listed in ascending order of price. The prices displayed are inclusive of VAT (all taxes included). The price of postage displayed corresponds to the cheapest home delivery offered by the merchant. aufeminin.com references in its price tables the merchants who wish to be present on the condition that they display prices with VAT (including VAT – all taxes included) and that they present an excellent level of quality of service and customer satisfaction. This referencing is paid. Our price tables are therefore not exhaustive of all the offers and merchants present on the market. The offers present in the price tables are updated daily and several times a day for certain shops.
Mirror stage: 3 toy ideas to teach him to recognize himself
With a book adapted for his age, he will gradually discover the concept of the mirror.
TUMAMA – Black and White Baby Book
© Amazon
The price offers are listed in ascending order of price. The prices displayed are inclusive of VAT (all taxes included). The price of postage displayed corresponds to the cheapest home delivery offered by the merchant. aufeminin.com references in its price tables the merchants who wish to be present on the condition that they display prices with VAT (including VAT – all taxes included) and that they present an excellent level of quality of service and customer satisfaction. This referencing is paid. Our price tables are therefore not exhaustive of all the offers and merchants present on the market. The offers present in the price tables are updated daily and several times a day for certain shops.
To have fun while developing, this foldable toy will allow him to discover his image but also different shapes, textures and colors!
Ballery – Baby Awakening Mirror
© AmazonThe price offers are listed in ascending order of price. The prices displayed are inclusive of VAT (all taxes included). The price of postage displayed corresponds to the cheapest home delivery offered by the merchant. aufeminin.com references in its price tables the merchants who wish to be present on the condition that they display prices with VAT (including VAT – all taxes included) and that they present an excellent level of quality of service and customer satisfaction. This referencing is paid. Our price tables are therefore not exhaustive of all the offers and merchants present on the market. The offers present in the price tables are updated daily and several times a day for certain shops.
The hanging toy, you can hang it on his stroller or on his swing. Your child will be able to spend long moments observing himself.
TUMAMA – Baby Hanging Toys
© AmazonThe price offers are listed in ascending order of price. The prices displayed are inclusive of VAT (all taxes included). The price of postage displayed corresponds to the cheapest home delivery offered by the merchant. aufeminin.com references in its price tables the merchants who wish to be present on the condition that they display prices with VAT (including VAT – all taxes included) and that they present an excellent level of quality of service and customer satisfaction. This referencing is paid. Our price tables are therefore not exhaustive of all the offers and merchants present on the market. The offers present in the price tables are updated daily and several times a day for certain shops.
In all cases, make the choice to buy quality items even if it means paying a higher price, your child can try to manipulate it, so you need an unbreakable mirror! Do not put it against the wall, absolutely fix it. Feel free to look at item reviews to find customer favorite mirrors.
