Observation 2

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 1. S: What’s the matter, sweetie?

Context 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.