First-time mothers' use of music and movement with their young infants: The impact of a teaching program

Wendy Vlismas*, Jennifer Bowes

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    11 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)43-51
    Number of pages9
    JournalEarly Child Development and Care
    Volume159
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1999

    Keywords

    • Motherinfant interaction
    • Movement to music
    • Music
    • Music education
    • Music program

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'First-time mothers' use of music and movement with their young infants: The impact of a teaching program'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this