Hello, you! Spotting their reflection in a mirror
The more your baby has been moving their arms and legs, the more they have started to understand where their body begins and ends. This understanding of themselves is further enhanced through their interactions with other people, so through being held, comforted and entertained by those around them.[1] Your baby will now be starting to explore toys and objects and will notice their reflection in a mirror; at this stage they won't realise that the baby that they see in the mirror is themselves.
Mirrors, self-recognition and interaction
Research suggests your baby will not recognise that their reflection is them when they look in a mirror for many months. However, they are likely to show an interest in their reflection and might recognise that the interaction they have with their reflection is unusual.[2]
Your baby will be interested in other people’s responses and will be beginning to understand from their experiences how other people might interact with them. They will gradually learn that other people have different ideas and perspectives, but for now, they are likely to be developing their social understanding through responsive interactions with those around them.
So, your baby will begin to expect a response when interacting with others. When they first notice their reflection in a mirror, some of their interest might come from recognising that the response from this baby is not what they expect.[2]
Mirror play and learning
Your baby’s understanding of themselves and of other people closely links to their language development, as they learn about conversations through turn-taking interactions with others. When looking at themselves in a mirror, their interest might be linked to their understanding of how another person might respond to an interaction.
Using a mirror can provide another way for you to interact with your baby as you look together at your reflections and you smile and pull faces and see their reactions looking back at you.
Using a baby-safe mirror can also motivate your baby to spend time on their tummy as they lie down and look at their reflection.
Seeing themselves (in photos and on screen too) develops their sense of self
As your baby develops, looking in a mirror might be one way in which they begin to recognise themselves and develop their sense of self. Interestingly, research suggests your baby will recognise themselves in a photograph or video before they recognise themselves in a mirror.[3]
But your baby will be interested in their reflection, and as they begin to develop ways of initiating some 'to and fro', they might try to interact with their reflection. As they develop a greater understanding of themselves, they will one day recognise that what they see in the mirror is their own reflection.
References:
[1] Gerhardt, S. (2004) Why love matters. How affection shapes a baby’s brain. Hove: Bruner-Routledge.
[2] Addyman, C (2020) The laughing baby: The extraordinary science behind what makes babies happy. London: Unbound.
[3] Rochat, P., & Striano, T. (2002). Who’s in the mirror? Self–other discrimination in specular images by 4- and 9-month-old infants. Child Development, 73, 35–46.