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Baby in front of the mirror
You may have heard of“Acquisition of the body diagram” by pediatricians or psychologists? In fact, this term quite simply refers to the slow awareness that will allow your child to have a picture of all the parts of his body. Gradually, your baby will recognize his image in the mirror and locate his whole body, and no longer in a fragmented way.
Many authors have insisted on this stage of baby’s development, known as “mirror stage“. Lacan was one of the first to attribute a fundamental role to this recognition of his own image in the mirror. He pointed out that this is a decisive phase of early childhood development, absolutely necessary for the formation of the notion of self. Mirror games are therefore of precious help (and not very restrictive!) For the awakening of your baby.
Baby identifies himself in front of the mirror
The mirror stage in children aged 4 to 12 months
Your baby does not recognize himself yet, but he is amused by this playmate in front of him. He can’t help but smile at Mom’s face next to his… without really realizing that it’s just a reflection!
The mirror stage in children aged 12 to 18 months
Your baby is finally waving to that baby in front of him. He takes him for another child who moves at the same time as him! But he is surprised all the same that it is so well coordinated with him … He will quickly try to touch the mirror to see what is behind : he wants to grab the hand of his playmate and tries to kiss it! Don’t try to talk him out of it: the kiss in the ice cream is a great classic of the discovery of his image.
The mirror stage in children aged 18 months to 2 years
Baby always take the ice cream buddy for another. But this companion is really weird: he doesn’t even want to take the toy that is handed to him!
This image may make him uncomfortable and the baby in the mirror almost scares him a little: your child begins to understand that this window is a little magical …
The mirror stage in children 2 to 3 years old
No more mystery this time: Baby isof course, it is his reflection that parades in the mirror! He recognizes himself with pleasure, but he is almost disappointed that it is not another. Games with ice cream interest him less and less, he prefers flesh-and-blood friends! To play with lego or doll, it’s still more practical …
Baby and the mirror: the technique of Doctor Lewis
Psychologist Michael Lewis has set up an original experiment to find out where the child is in the discovery of his image. It’s up to you to reproduce it to test your baby! Give him a mirror to look at himself. After a while, distract him and take the opportunity to discreetly put some lipstick on his nose. The child’s reaction will vary depending on his age. Around 1 year old, he looks at himself attentively and notice the odd color of his nose. Around 15 months, he touches the mirror to try to erase the red mark. From 18 months, he finally begins to wipe his own nose!
Did you know ? Around the age of 2, your child can differentiate himself from others in a photo or video film. Around 3 years old, he plays with his shadow, having fully understood that she is his double. |