Multiple Types of Cues in Real-Time: Father and Son Stringing Beads

In this video, a father and son are playing. There is a mixture of red, yellow, and green light cues that show what cues look like in real-time. The father comments contingently on a disengagement cue by asking “Are you done?” when he sees the child turn his back and try to climb on the couch.

Teaching Points

• In this brief clip, we notice many elements of a healthy relationship.
  • The father follows his little boy’s lead in their play.
  • He reads his cues and adjusts his play with his son.
  • There are moments of shared delight.
  • He responds to the boy’s bid for help.
• Just like these cues string together to make an interaction, multiple interactions like this everyday string together and are essential to the little boy’s brain development.
• When the father says are you done and good job to the little boy, those words are responsive to what they are doing in the moment (contingent) and as a result, much more readily learned and understood by the little boy. Responsive caregiving supports language acquisition.
• Their interaction is relaxed, open to what’s coming next. There is not tight synchronicity, which isn’t desired. Real is better than perfect.
• Play like this creates reciprocity in the relationship. Reciprocity is very regulating and having moments of reciprocity improves emotion regulation and behavior.