The Development of Imitation in Infancy: Is the Ability Present at Birth?
Introduction The ability to imitate other people is one of the most important mechanisms through which infants learn. By watching and reproducing another person’s actions, children can acquire motor skills, learn how objects are used, participate in social routines, and begin to understand the intentions of people around them. Imitation also supports communication before children can speak fluently. A baby who copies a gesture, sound, or action is not only

