Enhancing reciprocity between mother and neonate.

Thirty mothers of newborn infants were assigned to one of three equal-sized treatment groups to assess the effects on maternal responsiveness of an early intervention designed to familiarize mothers with the capabilities and individual characteristics of their infants. Mothers in one treatment group observed the administration of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale to their infants, were given an explanation of each item on the scale, and were told their infants' responses. Mothers in a second group were given the same individualized explanations about the scale items and their infants' responses, but did not observe the events. A third group of mothers, which served as control group, received individual instruction on infant furnishings. Maternal responsiveness was enhanced significantly in the "show-and-tell" group but not in the "tell-only" group. Parallel effects on infant responsiveness were also observed. '