Comprehension of Rules and Structures in MotherInfant Games: A Longitudinal Study of the First Two Years of Life

Abstract

This study explored the increasing abilities of infants to play and comprehend the rules and structures of mother-infant games. A total of 25 infants were videotaped as they played peek-a-boo and ball with their mothers at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months of age. Behaviours related to the mood of the infants and to their game-relevant gestures were analysed. Crucial game gestures and mood behaviours changed significantly with age. However, the pattern of change differed for the two games. Moreover, at each age level, each game was associated with a distinct pattern of behaviours. These results are described as indices of the infants' mastery of the rules and structures of the game.