In front of the mirror, your little one is wondering. Who is this child who watches him and does just like him?

In front of the mirror, your little one is wondering. Who is this child who watches him and does just like him?

Then one day there is this click: what if this child was him?

From 6 MONTHS TO 2 years old, your child gradually realize that this little face that looks at him is him! Specialists Call this acquisition the “Mirror Stadium”.

For the little ones, the mirror is first a tool. Through the game, the mirror allows him to recognize himself as a distinct person on the physical level but also in the sense of emotions.

That’s why he finds so much interest and pleasure in sending your hand, giving kisses, or making faces in front of the mirror.

In front of the mirror

This is how your child’s relationship with the mirror changes over the months and stages of his development *.

From 2 TO 4 MONTHS: the face and expression of parents are the first clues of the child’s personal identity and emotions. They are kind of, the child’s first mirror.

Around 6 MONTHS: in front of his reflection in the mirror, your child thinks he sees another child.

From 9 to 15 months: this other child is a lot of fun, seems to say your child playing in front of the mirror. It’s the age of tests (movements, kisses, hello, etc. ) and also… frontal collision! He’s looking for the other child behind the mirror, in vain. When he sees you in the mirror, he smiles at you. But, he doesn’t really realize it’s your reflection.

From 15 to 18 months: some children sometimes experience a period of discomfort in front of the mirror. They avoid it while remaining curious and curious. They are surprised at the strange behavior of this other child who doesn’t even take the toys we give him. Doubt is setting up. They are about to understand!

From 18 to 24 months: the child recognizes himself in a mirror. He also recognizes himself in a photo or in a video. Now he knows that he is a separate and full person. The image he makes of him and the one that the mirror returns to him will soon be one. It is also around this period that the child will enter the opposition phase against his parents: I say “no”, so i exist!

How do I know if my child recognizes himself in the mirror?

Give your child a mirror to look at himself. After a while, create a distraction so that it turns his attention from the mirror.
Discreetly, put a little lipstick on his face (for example, a little point on the front or nose).
Give him back the mirror and watch his reaction. Around a year, the child will notice the point, without more. Around 15 months, it will clear the surface of the mirror to erase the point. Children of a year and a half and more will remove their faces to remove the stain. This is the sign they understood that this image is their reflection.
Pleasure above all

You can offer your child to play in front of the mirror, but it is useless to insist if he doesn’t want to. On the other hand, it is suggested to let him explore and play freely when he seems to enjoy it. He’s looking for answers to his questions!

  • the ages mentioned in the text are only used as an illustration. It is possible and normal that your child’s development does not match these ages.