Observations of an Optimal Fit Between Mother and Baby: Perspectives on Normative Development

Fundamental to Anna Freud's orientation was the belief that our theories concerning developmental processes require the data which can only be gained from longitudinal observations of normative development. Normative development is also the focus of research conducted by developmental psychologists though rarely do they look at individual children with the degree of detail to be found in the material reported below. The observations which follow serve to highlight an optimal fit between mother and baby. At the same time, I believe the observations may usefully be set against the backdrop of current trends in developmental psychology. Thus two distinct concepts, namely ‘attunement’ (Stern, 1985) and ‘theory of mind’ (Astington, Harris & Olson, 1988), are discussed in the context of the observations with emphasis placed upon the quality of the mother's responsiveness and the emergence of corresponding capacities in the child.

Observing this mother and child pair has allowed a many-sided view of spirited development, both in terms of what an obviously healthy constitutional endowment can permit, and in terms of how this potential can rapidly develop in response to sensitive and responsive mothering. It is on this latter element of Rita's first two years that I wish to focus, that is, the remarkably appropriate mothering repertoire which Mrs Y has successfully and consistently displayed in regard to her first child. Her ability in this is all the more remarkable when one considers the relative lack of support (and at times clear insensitivity) of Mr Y, her partner of five years. In spite of this Rita's parents are strongly united, not only by their daughter but also by their common Italian heritage. If we take into account the influence of their ethnic background, and their own experience of childhood, we are better able to explain the way in which things are organized in their family which sometimes feels at odds with our expectations of contemporary middle-