Mother-Infant Activities as Providers of Sensory Stimulation

Abstract

Abstract A descriptive study was conducted to determine types and amounts of stimulation to five sensory systems of an infant that occurred as a result of everyday mother-infant activities. The infant studied was between 4 and 6 weeks of age. Results demonstrated that, overall, the baby received more tactile stimulation than any other type, followed by proprioceptive, auditory, visual, and vestibular stimulation. When activities were compared on a daily basis, feeding was found to provide the greatest amount of stimulation followed by playing, holding / carrying, bathing and changing. When compared on a per minute basis, playing was found to provide more stimulation than any other activity, followed by holding / carrying, bathing, changing, and feeding. The manner in which the various activities were carried out had a strong influence on the types and amounts of stimulation that resulted. Characteristics of both the infant and the mother appeared to be important influences on the types and amounts of stimulation the infant received. It was concluded that both mother and infant should be considered in planning therapeutic programs.