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This book is based on papers presented at the Tavistock Conference on Infant Observation held in 1993. The function of the conference, and of this book which originated from it, was to allow the exploration and review of the developments that had taken place in infant observation — both theoretical developments that had arisen from it and changes in clinical practice that it had informed.
The book is divided into three parts: Part I describes the practice of infant observation; Part II deals with new conceptual developments which have arisen out of infant observation; Part III describes the application of infant observation for the purposes of research. In her excellent introduction, Susan Reid provides a clear description of the method of infant observation, the experience of becoming an observer, the role of the infant observation seminar and the rationale and applications of the method to many clinical trainings.
In Part I, interesting examples are given of infant observation. Isca Wittenberg makes many astute observations on the process of infant observation and, in particular, gives us some insight into the experience of being a seminar leader of an infant observation group. Jeanne Magagna's chapter on the nanny-parent interaction provides insights into the various shared internal images which develop in the mother-nanny-baby relationship. She then goes on to provide fascinating examples of each of the categories of shared internal images which she has described. Lynda Ellis's chapter on the meaning of difference explores infant observation as a tool for studying ‘differentness’ and highlights what a sensitive tool it is for doing this.
In Part II, the way in which theoretical developments can spring from infant observation are described. For example, there is a fascinating