ABSTRACT
This study aims to describe mother–child interactions in families with middle-to-low socioeconomic status (SES). Data were obtained by observing interactions between mothers and children using the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM), which assesses four domains of interaction: structure, engagement, nurture and challenge. The data were analysed qualitatively. Fifteen pairs of mothers and children participated in this study. The majority of mothers were young adults with preschool-age children. The results reveal that some of the children were willing to follow their mothers’ structure. They were also willing to accept nurture from their mothers, which was expressed through physical contact. Most mothers, however, were less engaged with their children. They exhibited a lack of conversation and eye contact during the interactions. They also provided less support when their children encountered difficulties while working on given tasks. In addition, almost all mothers did not have habitual play activities that they used with their children. When they were asked to play with their children, they tended to direct the play activities into more academic activities.
