What Is Mirroring?

John Grinder and Richard Bandler originated Neuro Linguistic Programming. Their primary aim was to develop clear models, concerning human communications. NLP is a method that can determine brain behaviour, through the use of communication, such as body language, speech etc.
It can enable a person to change the way their brain responds to stimuli and help them to demonstrate new and better behaviours. It is a model that can create change. This method is suited to manage classroom behaviour as it can help to build rapport and communication with pupils, it can help to gather information about pupil’s views and with NLP, you can promote behaviour change strategies. Building rapport with pupils is important as it produces a positive environment,
These techniques are quite subtle but are very powerful in their implications and effects.
Matching and mirroring pupils’ body language are two ways to build rapport-using NLP. The idea behind these being that pupils feel more comfortable around someone who is ‘more like them.’
Mirroring refers to ‘copying’ the behaviour of another person by reflecting their movements like a mirror image. If done with respect, mirroring can create a positive responsiveness in your pupils.
Matching refers to ‘copying’ another person’s behaviour by doing exactly as they do with their body language. Body language often reflects a person’s feelings and attitudes and if you mirror/match their body posture, you may start to understand them a little more. Copying movements such as leg crossing, sitting, standing, leaning etc. can make you most like the person without them being aware. It is more discrete if you wait a few seconds before adopting the same posture.
Adopting pupil’s gestures, facial expressions, speech rate, breathing, all go toward building good rapport. It is important to remember not to mirror and match negative body language.
Cross over matching in NLP is when you match a certain movement in another person, but match