Imitation is the ability to copy novel movements and behaviors.  The concept of imitation is “doing the same”. The goal is teaching a student to clap when I clap, to stand when I stand, and to sit when I sit. Imitation is mastered when you say “do this” with a brand new behavior and your child does it. Many kids learn how to imitate without being specifically taught to. However for some children with developmental disabilities, the skill of imitation may not come naturally and may require direct instruction.

Before you teach imitation there are some prerequisites: –

• Stay seated
• Sit face to face
• Always sit with happy face
• Arrange the materials before going to teach imitation
• Give reinforcement

How to improve imitation skills

Children with autism exhibit significant deficits in imitation skills which impede the acquisition of more complex behaviours and socialization.

Here are some tips to take the learning to the next level. Now it’s time to focus on improving child’s ability to imitate even further.

• Be face to face with your child and maintain eye contact. Try holding an interesting object to keep their gaze and attention.
• Rather than only encouraging your child to imitate you, try turning the tables and start imitating your child like-
• Copy your child’s sounds, actions and facial expressions.
• When your child babbles, babble back at them.
• Watch your child play & copy his / her actions.
• Sing songs repetitively to your child, until he / she starts singing back or imitating gestures or actions.
• Get silly and make animal sounds, encourage your child to copy.
• Model new actions for the child to imitate. If the child fails to imitate the therapist / parent should promote the imitative response.
• All spontaneous imitative behaviours are systematically reinforced through verbal praise.
• Play with toys and encourage the child to play.