The rhythmical dimension of the mother-infant relationship — transcultural considerations

Abstract

The paper describes the importance of experiences of shared rhythmicity in the mother-infant relationship and their meaning for primary mental development. Rhythmical elements are already present throughout prenatal life and research has shown responsiveness of the foetus to modifications in the area of auditory perception. The author's concept of a prenatal 'sound object', which results from the foetus's experience of the maternal voice, includes rhythmical elements. Premature birth brings about a disruption of all apsects of prenatal experience including rhythmicity.