Table 4.

Definitions of each score for each parameter of the Parent Child Movement Scale. ³⁴

Parameter	Description	Score
Personal space	Penetration or distance vs. interactions of closeness and touch along with maintaining personal space for movement.	(1) Most of the time the body is upright in the vertical axis, the space between the moving parent and child does not allow for contact with an outstretched hand, has practically no eye contact, contracted muscles and protective bodily movements (covering and hiding body parts or turning the head or whole body backwards) or, most of the time the movement invades the partner's personal space (the space between the centre of the body and the hand, with the outstretched hand forward) suggestive of clinging, invasion, adhesion. (3) Maintaining an adjusted but static and unchanging distance. (5) Adjusted and variable distance between parent and child – allows touch and closeness but also provides personal space for movement.
Self-regulation	Flooding and excitement versus organising and planning the movement in relation to the other.	(1) The movements do not match the partner's ability or are strange, bizarre, very complex, fast, fragmented, many abrupt changes, or excessive use of movements that symbolise competition and challenge, movements that require a great deal of effort and training (standing on one leg, jumping onto a mattress), or gestures of intimidation (throwing objects, pretending to sleep, disappearing). (3) The movements are challenging, unadjusted or unpleasant but there is an awareness of the partner's state or most of the time the movements are adjusted except for one case or a single use of competitive movements. (5) Movements that flow, are varied, develop gradually and are in line with the partner's ability. Most of the time there is a delay to verify whether the movement suggested is suitable for the partner.
Movement diversity	Reduction and contraction of the body vs. the ability to express creativity and freedom of movement.	(1) The same movement is repeated again and again. Movement choice is limited, close to the face or the body, poor use of space, axial or robotic or unidirectional movements, clinging to one axis (vertical, horizontal or sagittal), or dropping the body (like a rag doll) or movement only at the extremities of the body (hands without the use of a torso), or many halts in movement (e.g., due to crying, laughing, or talking for more than a few moments, turning to a therapist, engaging in objects unrelated to the joint movement). (3) Sometimes there is varied movement, but it is limited, most of the time the movement is small or, the movement stops but only once. (5) Varied, creative movements, involving different body parts, rounded movements (the inner core takes part and some joints are involved). The whole body participates, without long pauses. There are attempts to develop the movement.
Shared enjoyment	Indifference and dissatisfaction vs. the enjoyment of interaction and playfulness.	(1) There is no playfulness, the movement is random, does not evolve and does not develop into enjoyment, a flat/apathetic/tension affect can be seen and the mover is not connected to what s/he is doing, as though activated (like a puppet on a string). Conveys unhappiness, hostility, tension, anger, sadness, impatience, desire to run away. (3) Flashes of movements with a quality of sharing and enjoyment, but in general the playfulness is shallow, the laughter and emotional arousal poor or, the beginning is tense and then there is a partial release. (5) Playfulness, enjoyment, calmness, relaxation and motivation for a shared experience, accompanied by laughter, smiles, manifestations of satisfaction, and a fun, pleasant emotional arousal.
Synchronisation	Inconsistency in movement to the partner vs. adjustment in the movement to the partner in form, rhythm and intensity	(1) Inability to track the partner's movements over time. Inconsistency in the rhythm or intensity of movement. Need for a lot of outside mediation from the therapist. (3) Limited ability to track the partner's movements and move accordingly. (5) Accurate and tailored monitoring of partner movements over time. The onlooker has a sense of joint movement.
Mutuality	Child's Score: Ability to move between different roles in a relationship	(1) Without transitions between the leading role and the follower role. (3) Needs considerable intervention from the therapist or the mother to move in one of the roles. (5) The child moves between the leading role and the follower role.
Mutuality	Mother's score: The ability to adjust to and support the child's needs	(1) The mother is constantly leading, does not allow the child to lead, or the mother does not lead at all. In leadership there is no dialogue, negotiation, more akin to individual performance, at times, a sense of helplessness, takeover, ignoring the child, or the mother is self-centred, detached. The movements that the mother suggests are completely different from the movements of the child. (3) Most of the time the partner is only in one role (leading the child or led by the child) and in a small proportion of the time s/he moves to the other role. (5) There is a delay and verification to determine if the child is able to follow the movements of the mother or if child wants to suggest a personal movement. The mother leads the movement while referring to the child's movements and abilities. The mothers increase or decrease their movements. The mothers’ movements are adapted in complexity and speed to the children's abilities

1. The score for shared enjoyment was the same for mother and child and stems from the shared experience.

2. The definition of mutuality differs between parent and child.