Have you ever seen your little ones smiling and gazing intently at a mirror? Did you know that mirrors are great “toys” and are highly recommended over high-end electronics that beep and buzz?

For infants, looking in the mirror is a form of play and it is a fascinating way for them to develop their visual senses, and supports their learning and development!

1. Nurtures Self-Awareness

When babies start to enjoy their own blinking and smiling image in the mirror, they are developing an important social and emotional milestone – self-awareness!

Research shows that children take time to learn to recognise themselves. Below 8 months, they will start to look at their own reflection in the mirror. When they are slightly older, they start to recognise and smile at their own reflection while making babbling sounds when looking at the image in the mirror. It is only until 15 to 36 months old when a baby starts showing recognition of self as they touch their nose, head, and other body parts that they can observe through a mirror!

2. Supports Visual Tracking

Did you know that babies have limited vision in their first few months? However, as they grow older, their vision improves and an important skill they need to learn is the ability to follow images with their eyes. As they grow older, they should get better at this and mirror play helps with that!

While watching the reflections of moving things via the mirror, infants learn how to focus his or her eyes, follow images and track movements!

3. Encourages Tummy Time

Most babies don’t enjoy tummy time as it can be challenging for those who are just starting out. Mirror play is a great motivator for tummy time as their reflection in the mirror will distract them and they will be encouraged to lift their heads, keep it up, and look around!

Tummy time can help infants develop strong neck and shoulder muscles and prevent the back of the babies’ heads from developing flat spots.

4. Develops Motor Skills

Infants are always curious about the world around them! When a mirror is placed in front of them, they will be inspired to reach, roll, pat and point. While doing so, they develop hand-eye coordination and gross motor movement as they try to roll towards their reflections!

For older infants, you can also provide them with a baby-safe hand-held mirror for mirror play as it supports hand and finger fine motor skills when they hold and move the mirror to explore the different views of their surroundings.

5. Boosts Language Skills

Believe it or not, research has shown that mirror play can aid reading ability of infants. By talking to your baby about the emotions you are showing or each part of your face while you are in front of the mirror, helps them to make sense of words from an early age and boost their language skills in the later years.

Mirrors are also creative ways to use imitation to teach children simple vocabulary, gestures and emotional concepts!

At Little Green House @ Aljunied, mirror play is just one of the many infant care activities where babies get to play and develop! Want your baby to be cared for in a nurturing environment? Discover our infant care at Aljunied today!

About Little Green House

A winner of the “Best Literacy Programme” from 2017 to 2020, alongside numerous SPARK (Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework) accreditations, Little Green House is renowned for its ability to provide a wondrous environment for the development of children. Customising unique programmes for children ranging from ages of two months to six years, Little Greenhouse’s award winning formula combines a set of engaging activities with a rock-solid curriculum in order to give every child the quality education he or she deserves.