Mirror Neurons: The Importance Behind This Contagious Phenomenon! by Erica Hornthal

You might be contagious right now and not even realize it. You don't have to be sick, but you do have to be yawning. So yawning isn't exactly the next health epidemic, but it is something that we all do that can actually be contagious. Why? Because of something in our brains called mirror neurons. Mirror neurons are found in the cerebral cortex and are active when one performs an action or when one witnesses another performing the same action. They are responsible for:

• acquiring language
• the ability to empathize
• social communication

They help our children learn and respond to the world around them. So, remember that body language and non-verbal communication is super important because someone or something is always watching – thanks to our mirror neurons!