Affiliation:
1. Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
Abstract
Abstract: Theoretical Background: Although grandparents often play an important role in children’s lives, research is scarce on shared activities and the role of the adult’s age for toddler imitation. Objective: We tested whether there are differences in toddler imitation depending on the age of the adult. Moreover, descriptive data about the frequency of contact and shared activities were collected. Method: In total, 34 two-year-old toddlers were tested via video-chat. They watched either a video of a young female adult or an older female adult building a rattle. Toddlers had the opportunity to interact with the stimuli before and after the demonstration. Results: The 2 (phase: baseline, test) × 2 (condition: young adult model; older adult model) mixed-model ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for phase, but no significant interaction effect. Descriptive data of shared activities are reported. Discussion and Conclusion: Toddlers imitated both the young adult and the older adult model. Grandparents in the present sample frequently spent time with their grandchildren, suggesting an important role in toddlers’ lives.