My granddaughter was born about nine and a half years ago. I was lucky enough to visit her about 10 hours after she was born. I went into a corner of her birth "suite" and held her for about 20 minutes. There was lots of bonding and I think that has had a positive effect on our relationship since.
But here is the point. As I was holding her I would smile, turn and say something to someone else, make baby sounds, etc. I noticed that she seemed to be mimicking me and doing a pretty good job of it. To be sure I started turning my eyes, sticking out my tongue and she would follow me. I started moving my tongue to the sides of my mouth and she would follow suite almost exactly like I did. I then made my tongue into a "U" shape and she followed suite. I was quite amazed.
I have never heard about a newborn doing this. I have mentioned this to others and they say they have never noticed anything like this.
Now, I think my granddaughter is pretty special but I don't think she is that far ought of range on that bell shaped curve. So what gives? How come others don't talk about this or it isn't in child rearing books?
Now, I didn't see my granddaughter for another 4 days. At that point she was pretty oblivious to things. She didn't have the facial coordination I observed the first day for about 8 - 9 months.
Perplexed!
