SOME NONVERBAL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MOTHER AND PRESCHOOL CHILD

Abstract

SCHMIDT, WILFRED H. 0., and HoRE, TERENCE. Some Nonverbal Aspects of Communication between Mother and Preschool Child. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1970, 41, 889-896. Patterns of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, between mothers and their 5-year-old children (15 low, 15 high SES dyads), as they were engaged on two cooperative tasks, were studied. One task was of a more practical-manipulative nature, and the other consisted of making up stories from pictures. All sessions were videotaped. Three nonverbal variables were isolated: physical contact, body inclination, glances. Physical contact was more prevalent in the low SES group. On body inclination, seen as a measure of degree of closeness, there was no difference. A significant pattern was revealed in glancing behavior. The high SES mothers tended to look at their children more than low SES mothers; high SES children had fewer glances unreciprocated by their mothers. Practical and theoretical implications are indicated.