Babies go through several stages of development when it comes to recognizing themselves in a mirror. Researchers have conducted studies to determine when infants start showing signs of self-recognition and understanding that the face looking back at them is their own reflection.
When do babies first notice their reflection?
Babies start noticing their reflection in mirrors as early as 2-3 months old. At this age, infants will look at and interact with the image in the mirror. They may smile, coo, or reach out to touch the reflection. However, they do not yet recognize that the image is of themselves. They think it is another baby.
When do babies start to recognize themselves in the mirror?
True self-recognition typically emerges between 18-24 months old. This is when babies realize that the face in the mirror moves when they move and is actually their own reflection staring back at them. Some of the signs that babies recognize themselves include:
- Touching their own face or hair while looking in the mirror
- Making faces or funny expressions at themselves
- Looking behind the mirror for the “other baby”
- Calling their own name while looking in the mirror
- Giving themselves a kiss in the mirror
The mirror test for self-recognition
In 1970, psychologist Gordon Gallup developed a technique called the mirror self-recognition test to determine whether an animal has the ability to recognize itself in a mirror.[1] The test involves placing a colored dot on the animal’s forehead without them knowing, then seeing if they touch or investigate the dot when looking in a mirror. Humans and some great apes can pass this test, indicating self-awareness.
In a classic study in 1975, Gallup used this technique on chimpanzees and found that they would touch the colored dot on their own forehead when looking in the mirror, realizing that the dot was on themselves.[2] This showed that chimps have a sense of self-awareness.
Developmental psychologists have adapted the mirror test to study self-recognition in human infants. Between 18-24 months, babies will notice and explore a dot of rouge or a sticky tab placed on their forehead or cheek when they look at themselves in the mirror. This indicates that they identify the image as their own reflection.
Theories on mirror self-recognition development
There are a few key theories about why self-recognition emerges in infants around 18-24 months old:
- Maturation of the prefrontal cortex – The prefrontal cortex handles higher order thinking and is one of the last parts of the brain to mature. Recognition of a mirror image requires complex thought.
- Development of visual-proprioceptive coordination – The ability to coordinate what they see with the feel and movement of their own body.
- Sense of autonomy – Around 18 months, infants start to sense their own autonomy and agency. They realize they are separate from their parents.
- Language development – Being able to attach names or pronouns to their reflection helps infants realize it is themselves.
When do babies recognize others in the mirror?
After infants recognize themselves in the mirror, the next developmental step is being able to identify others. Researchers have found:[3]
- At 21 months, babies can recognize immediate family members like parents in a mirror.
- Between 24-36 months, toddlers can identify themselves and their family members in mirror photos.
- Around 3 years old, children start recognizing friends or familiar non-family members in reflections.
Recognizing others indicates that a child understands mirror rules – that images reflect reality and identity stays the same across reflections. These mirror self-recognition skills represent major cognitive milestones.
Factors influencing mirror self-recognition
Several factors influence when an infant develops mirror self-recognition:
| Factor | Effect on Self-Recognition |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girls may develop self-recognition 1-2 months earlier than boys on average. |
| Birth order | First-born children tend to recognize themselves in the mirror about 2 months before later-born siblings. |
| Temperament | Babies with a more positive temperament seem to develop mirror self-recognition a bit faster. |
| Parent interaction | More parental interaction and bonding predicts earlier emergence of mirror self-recognition. |
However, large individual differences in achieving mirror self-recognition milestones are normal in healthy, typically developing infants.
Problems with self-recognition
Most babies recognize themselves in the mirror between 18-24 months. However, lack of self-recognition by 24 months may indicate:
- Cognitive or intellectual disability
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Impaired vision
- Neglect or lack of stimulation
If an infant shows no signs of self-recognition by 24 months, parents should discuss screening with the child’s pediatrician.
How to test self-recognition at home
Parents can test their baby’s self-recognition at home between 18-24 months using mirrors and looking for these responses:
- Put a dab of lipstick, face paint, or sticker on their cheek or nose and see if they try to wipe it off while looking in the mirror.
- Watch to see if they say their own name or point to themselves while looking in the mirror.
- Observe if they make silly faces at themselves or do things like pat their head repeatedly.
- Place a hat on their head when they aren’t looking. Do they grab at the hat in the mirror?
- Hold them up to a mirror across the room. Do they reach out to try to touch the baby in the mirror?
These types of interactions with their reflection demonstrate self-awareness.
Ways to encourage self-recognition
Here are some activities parents can do to help promote development of mirror self-recognition:
- Provide access to mirrors at the baby’s height so they can study their reflection. Supervise for safety.
- Point out the similarities between the baby and reflection – same eyes, nose, hair, clothes, etc.
- Make faces together in the mirror and talk about what you are seeing.
- Take selfies together on your phone and show your baby the pictures.
- Put stickers on their face and hands and invite them to look in the mirror.
- Say their name while they look in the mirror and make eye contact with the reflection.
Conclusion
Being able to recognize themselves in the mirror marks an important milestone in infants around 18-24 months old. Mastering self-recognition indicates that babies have developed self-awareness, understanding of identity, and complex cognitive abilities. While individual variation is normal, lack of mirror self-recognition by 24 months warrants discussions with the pediatrician to rule out any developmental lags or disorders. With patience and encouragement, most babies will delight in discovering their reflection as they reach this key developmental stage.