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The Gentle Mirror
TARGET:
3-5 years
INTENSITY:
5–7 min / As needed
LEARNING GOAL
Developing Emotional Awareness When Interacting with Others
PEDAGOGICAL INTENTION
Identifying My Emotions When Interacting with Others
Target SKILLS
Socio-emotional Intelligence
Co-Intelligence Human-Human
MATERIALS
Unbreakable mirror
DETAILED PROCEDURE
This activity works best one-on-one, or with one child at a time within a small group. Mirror the child's facial expression precisely to create a mirroring effect.
Step 1
Verbalize the observation: "Look - I'm making the same face as you. Is that anger?"
Step 2
Then invite the child to look at themselves in a real mirror to become aware of their own face.
Step 3
Invite softness by gently stroking the mirror to symbolically soothe the reflection.
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
PROGRESS INDICATORS
The child modifies their expression by imitating the mirror.
Research Foundations
Rizzolatti (2006)
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