COMPREHENSION OF RULES AND STRUCTURES IN MOTHER-INFANT GAMES - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF LIFE

This study explored the increasing abilities of infants to play and co mprehend the rules and structures of mother-infant games. A total of 2 5 infants were videotaped as they played peek-a-boo and ball with thei r mothers at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months of age. Behaviours relate d to the mood of the infants and to their game-relevant gestures were analysed. Crucial game gestures and mood behaviours changed significan tly with age. However, the pattern of change differed for the two game s. Moreover, at each age level, each game was associated with a distin ct pattern of behaviours. These results are described as indices of th e infants' mastery of the rules and structures of the game.