Description

You gently mirror your baby's own expression back to them and put a warm, simple word to what they seem to feel, so they experience being seen and understood. A small, everyday moment of emotional attunement.

Play guide

1. 1In a calm, face-to-face moment, watch your baby's expression - a big smile, a wide-eyed look, a wobble before a cry.
2. 2Gently mirror it back with your own face and a matching tone, so they see their feeling reflected.
3. 3Add a warm, simple word for it ("you're excited!", "that surprised you", "you're a bit sad"), keeping your voice matched to their state.
4. 4Pause and let them respond - a sound, a look, a change of expression - and mirror that too.
5. 5Follow their lead through the small exchange; the point is being seen, not teaching a vocabulary of feelings.
6. 6Keep it brief and stop when they look away or tire.