Motor Development: A Theoretical Model Chapter 3 Motor Development: A Theoretical Model © Gallahue, D.L., Ozmun, J.C., & Goodway, J.D. (2012). Understanding Motor Development. Boston: McGraw-Hill. © 2012 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Key Concept The processes and products of motor development across the lifespan may be conceptualized through use of a Triangulated Hourglass Heuristic.

Theoretical Viewpoints Descriptive Theories: Focus on the typical products of development Use: Phase/stage; developmental milestone; or developmental task approaches to better understand development Explanatory Theories: Focus on the underlying processes of development Use: Dynamic systems and ecological approaches to better understand development

Descriptive Theories Views Motor Development As a Product That: Progresses from simple to complex Is sequential and orderly in nature Builds skill upon skill Requires proficiency in basic skills prior to using them as complex skill Varies in rate and extent from person to person

Explanatory Theories View Development As a Process That Is : Multifaceted Nonlinear Discontinuous Transactional Self-organizing

Theory Building Inductive Approach Deductive Approach Fact based Builds conceptual framework around existing facts Attempts to organize and explain current knowledge Deductive Approach Inference based Integrates existing facts with empirical evidence Can form testable hypotheses Meets the empirical test of support

The Triangulated Hourglass Model (figure 3.2) A theoretical model (not a complete theory) A heuristic device (i.e. a metaphor) for conceptualizing the products and processes of motor development Is descriptive (hourglass = phases & stages) Is explanatory (inverted triangle = task, individual & environment) Is deductive in nature (inference based)

A Theoretical Model: The Triangulated Hourglass

The Hourglass (i.e. Phases & Stages) Reflexive Phase Information encoding stage Information decoding stage Rudimentary Phase Reflex inhibition stage Precontrol stage Fundamental Phase Initial stage Emerging elementary stages Proficient stage Specialized Phase Transition stage Application stage Lifelong utilization stage

The Hourglass

The Inverted Hourglass (Figure 3.3) Hereditary Filter Lifestyle Filter Lifelong Opportunities for Learning

The “Bottom Line”: Moving Toward Skillful Movers Motor Control Across the Lifespan Movement Competence Across the Lifespan

Concluding Concept Understanding the process and products of motor development helps us describe and explain how movement skill learning occurs; both of which are crucial to developmentally appropriate instruction.