WiseTip: CD-PLY-M0009-P01A

Cognitive Development

Promoting Imitation & Symbolic Play

Play “Peek-a-Boo” with your baby by using your hands to cover and uncover your face, while saying, “Peek-a-boo!”

WHY IT MATTERS

Infants have an amazing ability to imitate the facial expressions and gestures of people around them. Additionally, they have well-developed memories that enable them to remember a lot of what they see, feel, and hear. These imitation games and warm memories help lay the groundwork for the imaginative pretend play in their toddler years.

Meltzoff, A.N. (1999) Born to Learn: What Infants Learn from Watching Us in N. Fox & J.G. Worhol (Eds.), The Role of Early Experience in Infant Development, Skillman, NJ: Paediatric Institute Publications, 1999.