This silly activity is a fun way to build self awareness for young toddlers, learning that hey, that baby in the mirror is… me!

To help foster this awareness, I put a small splotch of lipstick on Veronika’s cheek while we were playing.

A few minutes later we headed to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Hello baby in the mirror!

She loves waving to the mirror, but this time she seemed to realize something was different. I helped point out the dot on her cheek, which – once noticed – was endlessly amusing.

As a variation, next I put a hat on her head. Now she knew something was different right away. She loved grabbing onto the hat.

And then seemed to offer to put this tiara on the baby in the mirror!

It’s early for her to truly tell that she’s the one looking back from the glass, but games like this will get her there.