Musical Interaction between adult/child aged 0-3 during change of nappy routine at the day care centre

This paper deals with the observation of the vocal interaction between child and practitioner during change of nappy routines at the nursery. This observation is part of an action-research project about the musical dimension of daily routines with children under four. Through routines the child learns rhythms and timing that allows him or her to revise and fix sequences of actions. At the same time we refer to the importance of repetition during the musical interaction between mother and infant. The questions that arise are as follows: What are the interactions between the nurse and the child during the change of nappy at the nursery? What are the children’s musical conducts during the daily change of the nappy? What are the adult’s ones? In order to analyse this interaction we used the concept of “conduct” by Pierre Janet. The change of nappy has been video recorded in a Italian nursery, once per day, over a 15 days period, always at the same time. The data analysed so far show that “asymmetrical” communication is predominant and that the musical interaction nurse/infant has a positive value in the daily life of the child.