Connection & feelings

Copy me, copy you

Copy one thing your child does, then offer a simple action for them to copy.

5 minutes

What you'll need

No special materials

Before you start

Comfortable interacting with a familiar caregiver

Best fit: either · calm energy · low caregiver effort · low mess

How to play

  1. Watch for a small action.
  2. Copy it warmly.
  3. Offer one new action and wait.
Make it easier

Only copy your child; do not ask for a return turn.

Standard

Copy one thing your child does, then offer a simple action for them to copy.

Extend it

Build a two-action pattern together.

What you might notice

Actions your child repeats or changes to keep the exchange going.

Keep it safe

Play on a clear level floor with gentle actions that do not require standing, jumping or contact. Stay within arm's reach, never force imitation, and stop when your child turns away, becomes tired or distressed.

Why it may be useful

Following your child's lead and responding to their signals may support warm, reciprocal interaction.

strong

Supports responsive interaction as a broad mechanism, not a claim that a single activity changes development.

Jeong et al. (2021) — Parenting interventions to promote early child development in the first three years of life: A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Pitchik et al. (2024) — A meta-analytic review of the implementation characteristics in parenting interventions to promote early child development

Leijten et al. (2021) — Teaching Parents to Be Responsive: A Network Meta-analysis

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