Before singing : the role of reflexivity during vocal interactions with caregivers in diaper change daily routine

This chapter takes a constructionist perspective concerning the vocal interaction of infants with parents and grandmothers during the daily routine of diaper change. It focuses in particular on an echo mechanism of repetition and variation, which structures the child-adult vocal interaction according to different time scales (micro-events to daily rhythms). The paradigm of “reflexive interaction” is introduced and considered with regard to four case studies. The results are discussed in terms of the potentials of the paradigm of reflexive interaction in the vocal and singing experience of children and caregivers.