Mothers

Although children have meaningful relationships with many people, the relationship between mother and child is unlike any other. Mothers serve in all sorts of roles, including as teachers, mentors, disciplinarians, and confidants. This unique relationship often begins prenatally and is far reaching throughout the life span, impacting both mother and child in many capacities.

[Page 878]The bond between infant and mother is instant. Sensory perception in early life seems to be tuned to recognize caregivers above other individuals, and more specifically, to recognize mothers. An infant’s auditory perception is well developed, even before birth. This means that the infant is born knowing what his or her mother sounds like. They are able to recognize and identify their mothers’ voices and unique speech patterns. Research has demonstrated ...