Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
Mother-infant synchrony
Barbara A Reyna1, Rita H Pickler
1Department of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Box 985912, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. breyna@vcu.edu
Mother-infant synchrony involves reciprocal behaviors crucial for infant self-regulation and healthy relationships. Understanding these interaction dynamics aids in promoting positive mother-infant bonding.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Infant Behavior
- Maternal-Infant Interaction
Background:
- Synchrony is vital for mother-infant interaction, fostering adaptive and reciprocal behaviors.
- It serves as a precursor to infant self-regulatory functions and impacts future interactions.
- Understanding mother-infant dyadic dynamics is key to promoting healthy relational development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the significance of synchrony in the mother-infant dyad.
- To identify patterns of synchronous interaction.
- To discuss measurement approaches and challenges in modeling synchrony.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive analysis of mother-infant interaction.
- Identification of adaptive and reciprocal behavioral patterns.
- Review of measurement techniques and modeling challenges.
Main Results:
- Synchrony is characterized by adaptive, reciprocal behaviors.
- Synchronous interactions are foundational for infant self-regulation.
- Effective measurement and modeling are crucial for understanding synchrony.
Conclusions:
- Synchrony is fundamental to healthy mother-infant relationships.
- Further research into measurement and modeling can enhance understanding of dyadic interactions.
- Promoting synchrony supports optimal infant development and well-being.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Attachment
Parental Care
Imprinting
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...

