Self-concept in infants aged 0-1 years: Starting from exploring the body

A: Self-concept is the awareness and perception of oneself, including physical characteristics, abilities, personality, etc.

A: During the 0-1 age range, babies are in the process of building their self-concept, but it is still in the early stages of formation.

A: Infants start to build a preliminary understanding of themselves through exploring their body parts and interacting with the external environment.

A: Encouraging self-directed behaviours helps babies to develop their independence and to recognise that they can take the initiative in interacting with the outside world.

A: Yes, the formation of self-concept is a continuous and gradual process, developing and evolving from infancy to childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, requiring time and accumulated experiences.

A: Parents should provide appropriate support and guidance, offer suitable challenges based on the baby’s developmental stage and needs, and create a stable and loving environment to provide the baby with a sense of security and affirmation, promoting the development of self-concept.

A: Babies may show interest in their own bodies by touching their hands and feet, pulling their ears, hair, etc. They may also exhibit curiosity about their reflection in the mirror, showing laughter and happy expressions.

A: Initially, infants may not have a clear distinction between themselves and others, but over time, they will begin to realize themselves as independent individuals, different from others.

A: Around 8-12 months, babies start to recognize their reflection in the mirror. They might interact with their reflection by smiling, waving, or touching the mirror.

A: Around 9-12 months, babies begin to understand their body parts. They may point to their nose, eyes, ears, etc., or make corresponding sounds while playing.