Age
⚙1.5 years and up
Time and Place
⚙Any time of day
⚙Any time of year
⚙Indoors or outdoors
Materials
⚙Shatter resistant mirror
⚙Reflective and nonreflective materials (e.g., aluminum foil, water, wood)
Optional Materials
⚙Additional reflective materials and objects (e.g., puddles, plastic, metal spoons)
Safety
⚙Supervise children at all times
⚙Exercise caution if using an actual mirror or any other breakable object
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Instructions
When children catch sight of their reflection in a window or mirror, provide children with reflective and nonreflective materials or objects so that they can explore reflective properties.
Questions You May Ask
⚙What do you see when you look in the mirror?
⚙What else can you use to make a reflection?
⚙How does your reflection change when you use different materials? ⚙What happens to your reflection when you move your [body, hand, foot, arm, head] [up, down, left, right]?
⚙What happens to your reflection if we move this object [behind, in front of, above] you?
Related Children's Books
I See Myself by Vicki Cobb
Play-based Context
Two preschoolers were playing outside when they noticed their reflections in the glass panel of a door. One child wiggled and laughed at the reflection and the other child copied the movements. Both children continued to playfully move their bodies and watch their reflections.
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