A Longitudinal Study of Neural Maturation and Early Mother-infant Interaction: a Research Note

The development of postural control of the head and of looking towards and looking away from the mother is described; the age relationship between attainment of postural head control and looking towards the mother is investigated and the relation between smiling and "pleasure" vocalizations to looking towards and away is examined. Twelve normal, full-term mother-infant pairs participated in this home-based study. En face interaction was video-taped for maximally 15 min at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 (or 21) weeks. We conclude that postural head control constitutes an important prerequisite for the emergence of socially directed behaviours during en face interaction.