Mother-toddler interactions during child-focused activity in transitional housing

This report describes the videotaped interactions of five mother-toddler dyads living in transitional housing. This study was designed to specifically examine the interactions as a function of routine in different types of child-focused activity. The interactions were described using the Parent-Toddler Coding System and Rating Scales of Dyadic Interaction (Ray&Tickle-Degnen, 2004). The focus was to examine the socio-emotional and task-supporting interactions that relate to the child's engagement in child-focused activity. Interactions were examined during free play, block play, slide play, and while having a snack. Positive moderate associations were noted between maternal and child socio-emotional dimensions of interactions in all activity conditions. The associations between maternal socio-emotional and task-related dimensions of interactions with child task-related dimensions of interaction were small in a positive direction, with higher associations noted in more familiar tasks such as during slide play or while having a snack. These preliminary findings suggest that familiarity with routines should be considered when examining the interactions that support child activity in families living in transitional housing for the homeless.