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Playing the copycat game with your child is a great way for them to learn and have fun.
Copying your child’s actions is a tool you can use to start early conversations, like the family in the video below.
Why you should copy your baby
- By playing copycat games, your little one will understand their ability to communicate through words and actions as you pay attention to them and show them you're listening
- They get to imitate the mouth movements and gestures they need to make word sounds
- By watching your movements, they learn to copy and make movements on their own, which allows them to develop their motor skills
How to play copycat games with babies
Copying sounds
Use sounds when playing with your little one. Don't worry about sounding or looking silly – it’s all part of the fun.
While you’re playing, copy the noises they make
For example, if they blow a raspberry or make a kiss sound – you can follow them in making the same blowing or ‘mwah sound.’
This shows your little one that you are listening, and you’re engaged in the game. Use this as your chance to make conversation, for example, “Can you blow a kiss?…Mwah.”
Wait for your baby to respond, and then copy! This shows your child how conversation works.
Mirroring actions
Copying your little one's actions is a great way for them to learn how to take turns. Allow them to take the lead and copy.
While you’re copying your child's actions, you can encourage speech sounds by talking about what they’re doing.
For example, if they point to their nose, you can copy them and point to your nose, while saying 'that's your nose'. This allows your child to take in the information they’ve seen.
Name the actions they make, for example, “You're waving your hands. Let’s wave our hands.”
You could try using a mirror to practise copying too.
Image caption, Try copying the sounds your baby makes - don't worry about sounding silly!
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More turn-taking games for babies
- Why not try taking turns to hide toys?
- Who's holding teddy? is a fun game to teach about back and forth interaction
- Fake a phone conversation using a banana phone
