This study examined the impact of maternal responsiveness, at eight month, on the maternal socialization practices at 18 months of the child. Twenty-three mother-child dyads participated. An observation of mother-child interaction, at eight months, and an interview about the socialization practices at 18 were performed. The results revealed that the responsiveness to sons' vocalizations was positively correlated to facilitators socialization practices, while the non-responsiveness to the babies' smile was negatively correlated to the same type of practice. It is possible that the greater sensitivity of the mother attempts to communicate baby indicate greater ability to employ non-coercive verbal strategies in the regulation of children's behavior in later stages of their development.
mother-child interaction; maternal behavior; child development
