This paper attempts to integrate theoretical and methodological assumptions focusing on the development of early communication. Two theoretical points are highlighted: the temporal dimension of the developmental phenomenon and the nature of the socio-cultural relationships that characterizes the communication system. In addition, some methodological implications are considered. Communication is conceived as a historical and relational or dialogical process. Communicative exchanges create a system of relationships from which new communicative patterns emerge. The methodology used comprises longitudinal video records of the mother-infant exchanges-particularly face-to-face and mother-objet-infant-during the first eight months of the infant’s life. Multiple cases are analyzed. Data analysis from two mother-infant dyads shows moments of quasi-stability and moments of change of the communicative patterns. The history of transformation of these communicative patterns particularizes each mother-infant dyad.
Development; early communication; historical system
