First-time mothers' use of music and movement with their young infants

The study is concerned with how first-time mothers can be encouraged to use music and movement with their infants. Thirty-nine first-time mothers reported their use of music and movement with their infant before and after a 5-week period during which 17 of the mother-infant pairs participated in a one-hour-a-week music and movement program. The program involved relaxation methods, kinesics, singing, visual contact and tactile stimulation. Results indicate that the program was successful in extending mothers' relaxation to music and their use of rhythmical movement with their infants but not their use of song and massage, beyond the levels reported by control group mothers. Mothers in the program reported use of music and movement to stimulate and soothe infants and social benefits of group participation for themselves and their infants.