Impact of Parent-Child Mother Goose : mothers' perceptions and experiences of singing to their infants aged 6-28 months

Abstract

Infant-directed singing is a universal phenomenon that has existed and prevailed for centuries. This study explores mothers' perceptions and experiences of singing to their infants and participating in Parent-Child Mother Goose; a community-based parent support program that (among other things) supports the use of infant-directed singing as a means to enhance the mother-infant relationship. A case study approach using both qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection was used. Five mothers were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires relating to singing to their infants as well as participating in a Parent-Child Mother Goose Program. Each mother participant also completed an interview with the researcher. A cross-case analysis of the data revealed a number of interrelated themes including: 1) experiencing bonding/connection with one's infant. 2) infant-directed singing as a means to regulate infant and maternal emotions and. 3) infant-directed singing as a means to communicate information to one's infant. The mothers also experienced benefits participating in Parent-Child Mother Goose.