Pointing and talk by low-income mothers and their 14-month-old children

Abstract

This study examines maternal talk and uses of the pointing gesture during interaction with young children in order to uncover the relationship between maternal and child pointing and talk. Forty- five low-income mother-child dyads were videotaped in their homes at child age 14 months. Results indicate that: (a) mothers and children who talk more point more during interaction, (b) the majority of pointing gestures are used to direct the hearer's attention, (c) mothers who communicate more with their children view their children as understanding more, (d) more educated mothers point more in the context of discussing a joint focus of attention and for conversation-directing purposes. Findings are discussed in terms of the relationship between maternal communi cative characteristics and child pointing and talk.