Look Mumma, I See Myself!
Hi Mumma, did you know that mirrors can help me learn and grow? They’re not just for looking at reflections. Between 18 and 24 months, I start recognizing myself in the mirror, which is a big step in my self-awareness journey. Here’s how mirrors can help me develop:
Understanding Self-Awareness in Toddlers
At age 2, I begin to recognize and identify various body parts and expressions. Mirrors are great tools that help me connect with my emotions and physical attributes, as well as introduce new words to me. By doing this, I can expand my receptive vocabulary—a list of terms I know but may not use just yet.
Four Engaging Ways to Use Mirrors for Learning
Identify Body Parts
Interactive Identification: Encourage me to touch my body parts as you name them, and use the mirror to help me see and identify them. For example, ask me to touch my nose and then find it in the mirror. This reinforces both vocabulary and body awareness.
Try Two-Step Directions
Sequential Instructions: As I get close to two years old, I can follow two-part instructions. Use a mirror to enhance this skill. It starts with basic instructions like "touch your head then touch your ears", gradually moving in more complex directions using words like "first," "then," and "next." Game-based learning is also supported. and language abilities
Play 'Match That Feeling'
Emotional Play: Mirrors are fantastic for teaching me about emotions and expressions. Start with basic feelings such as joy or surprise. Say, "Let us all look surprised in the mirror," and then put on a dramatic expression of astonishment. To increase my emotional intelligence, we can talk about the expression's physical components.
Make Funny Faces
Expression Matching: Besides being entertaining, making silly faces in front of the mirror teaches me how to identify and imitate various facial emotions. My emotional intelligence is raised by this. Make a face and ask me to try to pull it off. I am learning about human expressions while having fun with this game.
Conclusion: Mirrors as Gateways to Growth
Using mirrors in play is a powerful way to enhance my cognitive development. These activities make learning fun and help build a foundation for self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and language skills. As I learn to recognize myself and my expressions, I take significant steps toward understanding my emotions and those of others. Thank you for playing with me, Mumma!