1. Early Motor Development
chapter 5
Early Motor Development

2. Early Motor Behavior Can be reflexive or spontaneous (Clark, 1995)
Reflexive: stereotypical response elicited by a specific external stimuli
Spontaneous: movements not caused by known external stimuli

3. Spontaneous Behaviors
Assumed to be extraneous movements with no purpose
Similar to “mature” movements
Examples
Spontaneous arm movements and reaching
Spontaneous kicking and adult walking

4. Infant Kicks
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5. Reflexes Reflexes occur quickly after onset of stimuli.
They involve a single or specific group of muscles (not the whole body).
They resist habituation (at any one time).
Persistence may indicate neurological problems.

6. Purpose of Reflexes Built-in responses facilitate survival.
They enable open dialogue with the environment.
Reflexive movements result in sensory consequences (adaptation).
Reflexes provide building blocks for future movement.

7. Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
Infant starts in supine position.
Stimulus: turn head to one side.
Response: same-side arm and leg extend.

8. Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
Infant starts in supported sitting.
Stimulus: extend head and neck or flex head and neck.
Response: arms extend and legs flex, or arms flex and legs extend.

9. Palmar Grasp Reflex Stimulus: touch palm with finger or object.
Response: hand closes tightly around object.

10. Moro Reflex Infant starts in supine position.
Stimulus: shake head (e.g., by tapping pillow).
Response: arms, legs, and fingers extend; then arms and legs flex.

11. Stepping Reflex Stimulus: place soles of feet on flat surface.
Response: walking pattern of legs.

12. More Reflexes Sucking reflex
Stimulus: touch face above or below the lips.
Response: sucking motion begins.
Babinski reflex
Stimulus: stroke sole of foot from heel to toe.
Response: toes extend.

13. Constraints What constraints exist during the reflexive period?
Structural
Functional
Environmental physical
Environmental sociocultural
Task: goals, rules, equipment
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14. Later Infancy Gain voluntary control of movements
Understanding of environment, objects in the environment
Meaningful interactions with others
Postural reactions

15. Postural Reactions Begin at around 4 months
Help to maintain posture in a changing environment
Initially, similar to reflexes; later, incorporated into general repertoire

16. Labyrinthine Righting Reflex
Infant is supported upright.
Stimulus: tilt infant.
Response: head moves to stay upright.

17. More Postural Reactions
Derotative righting
Infant starts in supine position.
Stimulus: turn head to one side, or turn legs and pelvis to other side.
Response: body follows head in rotation, or trunk and head follow in rotation.
Parachute
Infant held upright.
Stimulus: lower infant toward ground rapidly.
Response: legs and arms extend.

18. Motor Milestones Fundamental motor skills
Building blocks
Cumulative, sequential
Lead to future complex motor skills
Specific movements that lead to general actions

19. Locomotor and Posture Motor Milestones: An Example
Emily at 2 months
(continued)

20. Locomotor and Posture Motor Milestones (continued)
2 months: lifts head in prone
3 months: lifts shoulders (turns head)
(continued)

21. Locomotor and Posture Motor Milestones (continued)
5 months: rolls over; sits unsupported
(continued)

22. Locomotor and Posture Motor Milestones (continued)
7 months: gets on hands and knees
8 months: creeps on hands and knees
(continued)

23. Locomotor and Posture Motor Milestones (continued)
9 months:
pulls to stand; cruises furniture
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(continued)

24. Locomotor and Posture Motor Milestones (continued)
10 months: stands alone
12 months: walks alone

25. Rate Limiters, or Controllers
Individual constraints that inhibit or slow the attainment of a motor skill
Rapidly changing during early childhood periods