Here’s an adorable way to bond with your little one, as early as when he or she is a few weeks old! Babies are drawn to grown-up faces, and will instinctively copy the expressions you make. (Note: this is the reverse of copying your infant, a game Veronika and I played a few days ago!)

This time, find a quiet moment when you have an alert and quiet newborn’s attention, and stick out your tongue for a few seconds, about 10 to 20 seconds apart. Pretty soon, they should try to copy you!

Veronika definitely was paying attention from the start; I could practically see the little wheels in her brain turning.

Trying out a few expressions. Hmm, not quite right.

Getting there, the mouth is open. But where is that tongue?

There it is!

Big siblings will get a kick out of this game, too, since normally sticking out a tongue is considered rude. Travis couldn’t believe I was encouraging the action, and loved sticking his tongue out at lil sis.