From infancy onwards, we align our movements to other people around us. Sometimes, we copy their actions (imitation) and sometimes we move in time to the same rhythm as them (synchronisation). In my research, I examine how different forms of movement alignment helps children form social bonds.

My research with infants provided some of the first pieces of evidence that from as young as 12 months of age, infants choose social partners who have previously synchronised movements with them. We also showed that in early childhood, synchronisation promotes social bonding and helping behaviour among peers.