LEARNING

This is a reflection. One of the most striking things about having a child is how much they imitate you. Their entire learning network is constantly activated by what is known as "mirror neurons." A particular category of neurons in the brain activated by the parent performing an action and the child observing it. When interacting with us, our baby not only deciphers our actions but also our emotions and feelings, leading to spontaneous imitation. It is this same movement that causes a person to yawn. When someone yawns around the table, everyone does the same, whether you're tired or not. This commonplace behavior becomes extremely troubling when you're dealing with a child. Let's face it, being imitated is always confronting because it highlights attitudes, language tics, and gestures we don't always realize we have. That's how we can be pleasantly surprised, with amused looks and even bursts of laughter, for example, when our baby does something nice or pretty. I'm delighted that my son repeats "wow" and "yum" for most of the day, reminding me of my enthusiasm. But it's also unsettling. This imitative process is an opportunity to put the finger on our impatience, idiosyncrasies, disorders, telephone addictions, ways of talking to others, etc. It's a way of focusing on our way of life, which, from time to time, escapes us. In short, by observing and imitating others, mirror neurons reveal what we do, say, and repeat most during the day. I think this fascinates me because the issue goes beyond parenthood. Because here's the question: as adults, who do we imitate? What do our mirror neurons focus on? Here, we understand the importance of the environment and surrounding ourselves with people who nurture us and whose practices do us good. I hope you choose your mirrors wisely.

Marie Robert is an author and philosophy teacher. As the head of Montessori schools, she created @philosophyissexy to share her philosophical reflections daily.

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