Play
bonding
Face-to-Face Expression Play
Best Age
Best Age
wk 0–17
Category
Play
Audio Track & Sing-Along Available in BabyNook
Listen to the full song, vocal melody, and soothing instrumental tracks directly in the BabyNook app.
About this play
A newborn's favourite thing to look at is a human face, and your face is the very first 'toy' they will study. Holding your baby about 20–30 cm away — the distance at which they see most clearly in the early weeks — and making slow, exaggerated expressions builds the foundation of social connection. When you stick out your tongue or open your mouth wide, you may even see your baby try to copy you. This early mirroring is the root of communication, empathy, and the first social smile.
How to do it (Step by step)
- Hold baby ~25 cm from your face in a quiet moment.
- Slowly smile, raise eyebrows, or stick out your tongue.
- Pause and wait — give them time to respond or imitate.