How infants copy actions — beyond simple imitation, what does it mean for social bonding?

When I watch a toddler pick up a toy or mimic a parent’s gesture, I feel a quiet wonder about what’s happening beneath those tiny, focused movements. It’s as if their bodies are quietly soaking in the world around them, learning not just what to do but, perhaps, what it means to belong. For infants between 16 and 21 months, this copying can seem instinctive, almost automatic. But recent research suggests that the way they imitate might be more than just about learning skills — it’s also about understanding social connections, even if that part isn’t fully clear yet.

In the early months of life, children are like little sponges, absorbing every gesture and sound. They imitate simple actions to build their understanding of the world, but how and why they imitate isn’t just about curiosity or mastery — it can also be about forming bonds. The question researchers are exploring now is: when do infants start to imitate in ways that are meant to connect with others — like showing that they are part of a group — and how does that relate to their developing sense of social identity?

Do young children imitate to belong or please? New insights into infant social behavior

This new study looked specifically at overimitation in infants — copying even unnecessary steps in a task — and whether it’s driven by a desire to fit in with a social group. Interestingly, the findings show that at this age, children don’t overimitate much, and their actions aren’t driven by preferences for in-group members. It’s as if the social glue that might motivate such behavior isn’t quite in place yet, or perhaps it develops later as their understanding of social groups deepens.

It’s natural to think that young children imitate to connect, to show they are part of a tribe. After all, we often see children copying friends or family with the hope of sharing a moment or gaining approval. However, this research suggests that, at least in infancy, imitation isn’t yet a tool for social bonding in the way we might assume. Instead, infants seem to imitate more out of memory or cognition — like a brain’s way of practicing and consolidating what they’ve learned.

Imagine the infant brain as a busy workshop. Early on, it’s cataloging every action, every sound, every gesture, not necessarily to make friends but to strengthen neural pathways. Over time, as social awareness grows, imitation may transform into a social act — a way to signal belonging or affiliation. But right now, these little ones are just beginning to understand the world through their own cognitive lens, not yet using imitation as a social currency.

This distinction is important because it shifts how we think about early social development. If infants aren’t yet motivated by in-group preferences when they imitate, then efforts to encourage social bonding through imitation might be more effective at later stages, once they develop a clearer sense of belonging and social identity. It also highlights that the roots of social mimicry are complex, intertwined with memory and cognitive growth long before they become social signals.

For parents, caregivers, and educators, this research offers a gentle reminder: what we see as simple copying in infants is actually a window into their developing minds. It’s less about trying to fit in right now and more about laying the groundwork for future social skills — understanding others, remembering actions, and eventually, naturally, forming bonds through shared behaviors.

Watching a child imitate isn’t just about teaching them how to do things — it’s about witnessing the quiet emergence of social understanding. As they grow, their copying will become more deliberate, more connected to feelings of belonging and identity. For now, their early mimicry is an intricate dance of memory and cognition, quietly shaping the social beings they will become.

Learn More: Overimitation begins in infancy but is not yet linked to in-group preference
Abstract: A new study examines the emergence of overimitation in infants aged between 16 and 21 months to see if and how it is linked to social affiliation and other forms of imitation. The researchers found that young children engaged in low rates of overimitation and that it was not driven by in-group preference — meaning they were not acting to please someone similar to themselves. This suggests that overimitation for social affiliation reasons may emerge later. But they did find that other types of imitation associated with memory and cognition were closely correlated.
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