This study explores infant-caregiver interaction in two cultures, replicating and expanding on previous cross-cultural comparisons. For this study, 132 Kenyan infants, 112 preterm U.S. infants, and 27 full-term U.S. infants were observed with their caregivers during multiple home observations. Results expand on previous work in Kenya, illustrating the importance of multiple caregivers in the lives of infants. When all care- givers are taken into account, as opposed to just mothers, similarities between Kenyan and U.S. cultures in styles of interacting with young infants become more apparent. In addition, when infant-caregiver interaction in Kenya is compared with infant-caregiver interaction with U.S. preterms, previously reported differences between Kenyan and U.S. caregiving behaviors also become less evident. These findings are particularly important in that they counter the concern that the development of children in environments such as rural Kenya is compromised by lower levels of stimulation from mothers.
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