Verbal Interaction Patterns of Mothers, Children, and Other Persons in the Home1

Abstract

Verbal interaction patterns within the home were the focus in this study. Patterns of verbal interaction between (1) mothers and all persons in the home at the time of the observations, (2) mothers and their familial children, and (3) mothers and their 4‐year‐old children were investigated.Observations were recorded in each subject's home setting as families conducted their normal daily routines. Data were analyzed to determine conditions within the homes which affected verbal interaction patterns.When all persons present were considered, income housing level, percentage of male children in the family, age of mothers, and number of familial children present were related to verbal interaction patterns at a significant level. When verbal interactions between mothers and children were analyzed, number of familial children present and the presence of the father were related to verbal interaction patterns. When mothers and 4‐year‐olds were studied, age of mothers was related to the verbal interaction patterns at a significant level.