Symbolization and Sequencing in the Development of Interaction Skills in a One-Year-Old Child

Abstract

Several interactive behaviors of a one-year-old child are presented and categorized as conventional forms of expression, play (including role-playing and games), and conversation. It is suggested that all the behaviors share a common characteristic: symbolization. Play and conversation also share the characteristic of being sequenced. It is proposed that, for the early stages of socialization, it may be fruitful to study such behaviors as related rather than disparate manifestations of the acquisition of social interaction skills by the child.