Motor Development

Define developmental sequence

Development of motor skills happens in a predictable sequence

Is motor development linear or non-linear

Non-linear

What is the neuromaturational developmental theory?

• Development driven by CNS maturation

• Development follows set, invariant sequence

• Diminishes role of environment

What is the dynamic systems developmental theory?

• Different systems interact to adapt child’s motor responses to the environment & task

• Consider intrinsic & extrinsic factors

What is the ecological systems developmental theory?

• Development influenced by environmental factors

• Ex: caregiving, culture, home environment, community, society

What is the key part of typical development?

• VARIABILITY

• Children need to be able to adapt to their environment

List some extrinsic factors that may influence motor development.

• Opportunities to learn/practice skills

• Cultural differences

• Parenting/caregiving

• Parent nurturing & bonding

• Task demands

• Public health initiatives

List some intrinsic factors that may influence motor development.

• Integrity of nervous system

• Genetics

• Anthropometrics

• MSK development

• Cognitive & behavioral factors

• Sensory factors

What is significant about development of motor skills in utero?

• Fetal movement gives neural feedback & encourages more movement

• Necessary for developing MSK system

How is motor development embodied?

Movement depends on status of body systems

How is motor development embedded?

Variations in environment create/constrain opportunities for movement

How is motor development enculturated?

Motor behaviors are shaped by social & cultural factors

How is motor development enabling?

New motor skills create new opportunities for exploration & learning

What are the 4 foundations of motor skill development?

• Develop adequate postural control to move body against gravity

• Reduce size of BOS

• Increase in distance of COM from ground

• Refine movement/coordination

What is the prone progression for stability?

1. physiological flexion (fetal position)

2. elevation & rotation of head

3. prone propped on forearms & elbows behind shoulders + 45° neck extension

4. prone propped on forearms & elbows in line w/ shoulders + 90° neck extension

What is the prone progression for mobility?

1. weight shift & unilateral reach

2. pivot in prone

3. prone to quadruped

4. crawl (belly crawl)

5. creep reciprocally (crawling quadruped)

What is the supine progression?

1. reciprocal & symmetrical kicking

2. hands to midline

3. maintain chin tuck during pull to sit

4. hands to feet or feet to mouth

5. supine to sit

What is the rolling progression?

1. supine → sidelying (non-segmentally)

2. prone ←→ supine (non-segmentally)

3. prone ←→ supine (segmentally)

What is non-segmental rolling?

• Log rolling

• Less mature form of rolling

What is segmental rolling?

• Dissociation b/w movement b/w upper & lower half of body

• More mature form of rolling

What is the sitting progression?

1. Supported sitting

2. Prop sitting

3. Sitting for short periods of time

4. Sitting independently

5. Sitting → prone

What is the standing progression?

1. Supported standing

2. Pull to stand

3. Cruising

4. Standing independently

5. Independent steps

What segment of body develops postural control first?

Head / Neck

What kind of reaction is seen with slight perturbations within BOS?

Righting reactions

What kind of reaction is seen with moderate perturbations close to edge of BOS?

Equilibrium / Tilting reactions

What kind of reaction is seen with extreme perturbations beyond BOS?

Protective reactions

What happens during the first 3 months of life?

• Gain head control & midline control

• Prone skills emerge

What happens during months 3-6?

• Master prone skills

• Sitting skills emerge

What happens during 6-9 months?

• Master sitting skills

• Become mobile (crawling)

What happens during 9-12 months?

• Master mobility in prone / quadruped / supported standing

• Standing skills emerge

What are the 3 stages of fine motor skill progression?

1. reaching

2. object manipulation

3. anticipatory grasping

What age range are infants considered?

0-12 months

What age range are toddlers considered?

1-3 years

What age range are preschoolers considered?

3-5 years

What age range are school-aged / elementary kids considered?

5-10 years

What age range are adolescents considered?

11-18 years

What is seen with initial walking in the first 3-6 months after taking independent steps?

• Unpredictable loss of balance

• Rigid, halting steps

• Short step length

• High guard hands

• Flat foot contact

• Wide BOS

• Toes ER

• Brief single limb stance

• 17 falls/hr

What is seen with immature walking by 2 years old?

• Occasional loss of balance

• Smoothing gait pattern

• Increased step length

• Reciprocal arm swing

• Heel strike IC

• BOS within lateral borders of trunk

• Minimal toe ER

• Longer single limb stance

• Less falls

What is seen with mature walking by 7 years old?

• Rare loss of balance without perturbation

• Relaxed, elongated gait

• Increased step length

• Reciprocal arm swing

• Heel strike IC

• Narrow BOS

What is the progression of running from 1-3 years?

1. Increased speed of walking (1-2 years)

2. Flight phase running (2 years)

3. Mature running pattern (3 years)

What is the progression of stair navigation from 15 months - 4 years?

1. Creep up stairs (15 months)

2. Creep down stairs (18 months)

3. Walk up stairs w/ rail then down (18 months)

4. Walk up stairs independently w/ reciprocal pattern (3 years)

5. Walk down stairs independently w/ reciprocal pattern (4 years)

What is the progression of jumping from 1.5 years - 5 years?

1. Jump w/ unilateral foot push off (1.5 - 2 years)

2. Vertical jump & jump off low step w/ bilateral push off (2.5 years)

3. Jump forward over 2 in. obstacle (3 years)

4. Single leg hop (3-4 years)

5. Single leg hop 8-10x forward (5 years)

What are the 4 domains of development in early childhood?

• Physical

• Cognitive

• Social-emotional

• Language

What falls under the physical domain?

• height

• weight

• motor skills

• strength

• coordination

What falls under the cognitive domain?

• mental processes

• thinking

• learning

• understanding

• problem-solving

• motivation

What falls under the social-emotional domain?

• temperament

• attachment

• social interactions

• emotion/regulation

• motivation

• personality

What falls under the language domain?

• expressive language

• receptive language

List possible causes for atypical development.

• Brain injury

• Genetic disorder

• Abnormal tone

• Decreased strength

• Abnormal positioning

• Exposure to substances in utero

• Preterm birth

• Orthopedic conditions

• Cardiopulmonary conditions

• Sensory system dysfunction

• Environmental factors

List signs of atypical/delayed development.

• delayed milestones

• atypical movement behaviors

• abnormal tone

• impaired postural control

• asymmetrical postures

• persistence of neonatal/infant reflexes

• impaired development in other domains