Imitating in toddlers

[confusedofengland]

Can anybody explain to me the difference between imitating facial expressions and imitating actions? And does it matter if a child does one but not the other?

E.g. DS is 26 months. He imitates all sorts of things that I and others do - so if big brother is playing trains, he is there, right behind him, pushing a train on the same bit of track. Or if I sweep the floor, he is there with a brush trying to sweep, too. Yet, I don't think he imitates facial expressions much - although when big brother (or other children) laughs at something, so does he & when big brother cries, so often does he.

I just don't know the significance of all this

Anybody?

I'm not sure i really follow you. Do you mean that he doesn't smile back at you for example? I guess it would be a bit concerned if it was that but if it's more subtle facial expressions I wouldn't worry too much. My dd is 24 months and sounds much the same though she smiles back at me, pulls silly faces if I do etc, but she would have to be paying attention to me, if you see what I mean!
Hope that helps

I think he does smile back at me when I smile mostly. But he doesn't really pull silly faces -although he will copy me putting a tub on my head for a joke or similar!