Recognition of emotions in faces is a key element in healthy emotional maturity.  Usually this ability is acquired  in "Face Play" (Peek-a-Boo, etc) with the mother, starting at 2 to 3 months of age  The key to the success of this process is the mother's attunement and ability to synchronize with the child's rhythm of arousal, being sensitive to when the infant needs a momentary break, and when Baby is ready to resume the play.  In this game, the infant begins to acquire emotional self-regulation, as Mother responds to the infant's signals that he has had enough, and also acts as a brake on over-arousal by responding less intensely when baby is getting too excited. 

    Outside of the play setting, Mother or other caregivers (especially the Father) helps the infant develop emotional self-control by responding to and mirroring emotions (excitement, fear, anger, sadness) without the adult actually being caught up in the feeling herself or himself. Mom can mirror the infant's emotion with a little  detachment and a touch of humor. The infant's emotions are validated but do not cause a resonance with the mother in which things get out of control.  In an unhealthy situation, Mom responds to Baby's anger or distress with rage or fear, which causes a cycle of escalation. Here, the infant is learning a pattern which will lead to emotional and behavioral problems later.  Note that for the parent, these responses cannot easily be learned as adults, but happen naturally and unconsciously depending on his or her own early childhood experiences. 
Ed Loewenton, M.A.
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