Self-awareness in babies: How early interactions come into play

When do babies first recognise themselves as separate individuals, and how does this sense of self emerge from early relationships with caregivers? This will be discussed in this talk.

When babies go on the developmental path to selfhood, this begins in everyday interactions with caregivers. Parents and babies take part in a kind of emotional and physical "dance", responding to each other moment by moment. Sometimes they move in synchrony, other times, their timing is slightly off. Both patterns matter. 

By sharing research, I will talk about how the timing and quality of early interactions affect the emergence of self-awareness. Because becoming who we are begins with being together.

(Photo: Shutterstock)