In a childcare setting, the strategic use of mirrors with infants and toddlers serves as a developmental tool to facilitate self-recognition. Additionally, young children can enhance pre-reading skills through mirror interactions, which aid in improving pronunciation, expanding vocabulary, and honing identification abilities.Furthermore, mirrors can be instrumental in fostering social-emotional growth. When infants and toddlers see their reflections, they begin to understand their own emotions and expressions. This self-awareness is a foundational step in developing empathy and understanding others' feelings.
Incorporating mirrors into playtime can also stimulate curiosity and exploration. Children might engage in mimicry, making faces or movements and watching their reflections respond, which enhances their cognitive and motor skills. By observing themselves, they gain a better understanding of their physicality and coordination.
Educators and caregivers can design activities around mirror play to further these developmental benefits. Simple games like "mirror dancing" or "mirror storytelling" can be both fun and educational, encouraging children to express themselves creatively while learning new concepts.
Overall, the strategic use of mirrors in a childcare setting not only supports cognitive and language development but also nurtures emotional intelligence and social skills, providing a well-rounded approach to early childhood education.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Using mirrors with infant and toddlers in a Childcare setting is a developmental tool used to teach self recognition. Young children can also develop pre-reading skills from the use of mirrorsby learning pronunciation, vocabulary, and the skill of identification.
 
Why use Childcare mirrors? The answer is really much more complex than "meets the eye." Using mirrors with infant and toddlers in a Childcare setting is a developmental tool used to teach self recognition. Young children can also develop pre-reading skills from the use of mirrors by learning pronunciation, vocabulary, and the skill of identification. 
 
When using mirrors with infant and toddlers, be sure the mirrors are placed at their level for height. Children should also receive supervised, interactive play with the mirrors.
Activities to do in a Childcare setting with mirrors are (some of these activities may be too advanced for infants, but can be started at a young age; however, do not expect mastery at the infant level):
 
Promote Self Identification-Tape a picture of the child onto the mirror. Say the infant's name aloud and point to the reflection in the mirror and to the picture of the child.
 
Imitate-Make a face in the mirror with the infant or toddler and attribute a word to the face, for example, angry, sad, happy, or afraid and so on. This teaches children how to imitate and early identification of feelings. Next, make silly faces and sounds in the mirror and have the child repeat. For older toddlers, include the written word on an index card for children to associate the written word, with the spoken word and the expression in the mirror. Older students can learn to pronounce letter sounds in this way. For example, teach the child that short "o" makes the "o" sound as you drop your jaw and have him or her repeat.
 
Build Vocabulary– Name the body parts as you guide the child to touch his or her eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, ears, and neck and ask, "Where are your eyes?" Be sure to pronounce each word clearly and allow the child to repeat.
 
Practice Motor Skills-Have the infants or toddlers try to "catch" bubbles as you slowly blow the bubbles against the mirror. This is a great way for infants to learn to follow with their eyes and is a great opportunity to increase hand-eye coordination. Have older toddlers practice getting dressed in the mirror. At first, this should be a simple task, such as putting on a jacket or socks. Praise every attempt the children make.
 
Using Childcare mirrors as an instrument for teaching is certain to be a lot of fun for young children, while promoting their self-awareness and ultimately self-esteem. There are manydevelopmental activitiesto do with infants and toddlers in a Childcare setting using mirrors, including imitating, self-awareness, vocabulary building and even motor skills. Enjoy the interactive play
 
 
Measuring 6 feet tall in length when opened out , 60cm wide  - acrylic and safe and fit for purpose