How it Plays

Cuddle your baby in your lap and hold a reflective surface in front of her eyes. It can be a mirror, shiny Mylar paper, or a shimmering CD. Watch her reaction to the glinting light. Perhaps she will even try to grab the swift images as they dance in front of her. Or settle yourselves in front of a mirror and hold her face next to yours. Make faces and see what she does -the results are sure to delight both of you.

Mirror games are easy to take on the road...or in the air! You can carry a small handheld mirror in your purse or fashion a flashy plaything on the fly. Plain old aluminum foil, for instance, can be wrapped around a magazine, a piece of junk mail, a spoon, a stick, or a finger and dandled with happy results in front of your child.

What You'll Need

Learning and Growing

As she plays with reflective surfaces, a baby and even a toddler develops an awareness of her body and facial expressions. Think of this activity as a visual "conversation" she's having with herself or with you.