The paper aims to discuss early peer interactive events. Initially, interactive conceptions and methodological issues from a literature review are introduced. Then, an empirical study is presented. It has been constructed from videotapes analysis of the Babies' adaptation into day care center research project, which has followed 21 babies (4-14 months of age), at a university day care center. Investigation included two phases. First, interactional episodes were identified based on an interaction conception of doing something together. The second phase resulted from a microgenetic analysis of all identified episodes related to one selected child. The study revealed frequent, brief, fluid and interrupted interactions. Yet, the analysis points toward interaction as going beyond doing something together, as behavior can be regulated from distance, while children are involved in diverse activities and, even if one of them is not aware that he/she is regulating the other partner's behavior. As such, interactions are considered as co-regulation within interactive fields.
interaction; infant; microgenetic analysis; behavior regulation; interactive field
