Observation #2: Infant-Caregiver Interaction

Participants: Sue – female, age 52 years; Albert – male, age 6 months

Setting: Sue, Albert’s grandmother, is babysitting at her home. Sue is washing dishes in

the kitchen while Albert is resting in a crib in the living room. Waking from a nap, Albert

begins to cry.

Description of Interaction:

Interaction Context
1. S: What’s the matter, sweetie? Calling from the kitchen

2. A: (cries intensely) Crying halts for a moment at Sue’s call, then

persists

3. S: Ohhhhh, it’s okay. Motions over the crib, voice is soothed

4. A: (crying gradually subsides) Albert makes eye contact with Sue

5. S: It’s okay, baby. Sue picks up Albert from his crib

6. A: (breathing heavily) Albert maintains eye contact

7. S: C’mon, let’s go get some nummies. Sue carries Albert into the kitchen and

places Albert into a high chair.

8. A: Haaaaaah! Albert coos, still watching Sue’s face

9. S: You want some nummies? Sue prepares a bottle of formula

10. A: (delayed silence) Mmmbabababa. Albert looks around the room

11. S: Albert gets some nummies. Sue sings, smiles to Albert; higher pitch

12. A: Aaaaaaah! Albert explores his environment

13. S: Are you making a mess? Sue calls from across the kitchen, startling

Albert
14. S: Is Albert making a mess?! Sue scoops Albert from his seat, blows on

Albert’s stomach

15. A: Aaah-aaah-aaah! Albert laughs, fists clenched

Communication Acts Observed:

1. Attention getting; high pitch

2. Crying due to lack of facial recognition

3. Consoling; use of calm, soothing voice

4. Visual perception; Albert recognizes his grandmother’s face

5. Sympathizing; continued use of soothing tone

6. Proto-conversation; Albert monitors Sue’s interactions

7. Controlling; Guiding Albert to the kitchen

8. Proto-conversation; Albert vocalizes in response to Sue’s prompt

9. Suggesting; Inferred directing

10. Babbling; consistent use of “ba” sounds

11. Ritualizing; Sue sings to Albert as a way of reinforcing an expectation

12. Pseudo-conversation; Albert vocalizes after Sue sings, though his attention is

directed elsewhere

13. Reprimanding; A very mild form of scolding

14. Joking; proper grammar is shifted and tone changes from reprimanding tone.

15. Proto-conversation; Albert enjoys some playtime with his grandmother.

My Thoughts:
 Young Albert has spent many daylight hours with his grandmother, as his mom

has returned to work. Thus, he has developed both visual and auditory recognition with

his grandmother, enough to halt his crying when she approaches his crib. Sue maintains a

‘here & now’ form of speech that concentrates solely upon events happening at that

moment, such as Albert waking from his nap, and preparing food for him. Intentionality

is clearly developing at this point, evidenced by Albert’s response to his grandmother’s

appearance by halting when he hears her voice, so Albert has reached the Illocutionary

stage. He has even learned how to engage in conversation by maintaining eye contact,

and even exhibits minor displays of boredom, such as when Albert begins to explore his

surroundings while Sue prepares his bottle.