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Home › Articles › Guiding Baby's Development › Here's Looking
at You, Baby

Here's Looking
at You, Baby

Why Mirrors Are a Favorite First Toy

By Katherine Bontrager

Pages:  1  2  3  

Houlehan found that while Jack was a newborn, the best place for him to enjoy his image was in his baby gym. "Jack had a gym he would lie under that had shapes, animals and mirrors that would dangle just within arm's reach," she says. As Jack grew, Houlehan found more age-appropriate toys with mirror activities like "open-the-door-and-see-the-baby."

"Most importantly, I think a mirror in the crib is a good thing," Houlehan says. "Also, having mirrors in your house, just as decoration, are important. Every time you walk by with the baby, (even when they are newborns) you have an opportunity to ask 'Who's that baby in the mirror?' It becomes a game and babies eventually catch on. I think when they're able to recognize themselves, a huge milestone is reached."

Reflecting on Safety
But make absolutely sure that the mirror you're handing over is truly a safe one for youngsters. "It's very important to make sure that any mirror that you use with an infant has been designed for use with children," Douglas says. "It should be child-safe and should be free of sharp edges. The product should also be durable and designed to withstand wear and tear."

Douglas says that you can check the safety of any products you may have by visiting www.jpma.org, which offers information on juvenile product safety standards.

Also, check for quality items through programs like the iParenting Media Awards. The effort spent on a little bit of prevention is well worth the fun and excitement a shiny surface can provide to babies who are learning to discover just who they are.


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