4.2 - Motor Development

dynamic systems theory

to develop motor skills, infants must perceive something in their environment that motivates them to act and use their perceptions to fine-tune their movements

embodied, embedded, enculturated, and enabling

four key aspects that reflect the dynamic systems theory of motor development

reflexes

built-in reactions to stimuli; genetically carried survival mechanisms

rooting reflex

occurs when the infant’s cheek is stroked or the side of the mouth is touched

sucking reflex

occurs when newborns automatically suck an object placed in their mouth

moro reflex

occurs in response to a sudden, intense noise or movement

newborns arch their back, throw back their head, fling out their arms and legs, and then rapidly draw in their arms and legs

what do newborns do when startled (moro reflex)

grasping reflex

occurs when something touches the infant’s palms; infants respond by grasping tightly

gross motor skills

involve large muscle activities, such as moving one’s arms and walking

fine motor skills

involve finely tuned movements

palmar grasp

infants reach with their whole hand (initial)

pincer grip

infants grasp with their thumb and forefinger (near the end of the first year)

perceptual motor coupling

at different stages of development, infants use different perceptual systems to coordinate grasping

replenishes and rebuilds the brain and body, supports brain plasticity, and sleep deprivation has negative impact on memory, attention, reasoning, and decision making

3 reasons we sleep

REM sleep

active brain, rapid eye movements, high in infancy

Non REM sleep

deeper sleep stages, restoration and recovery

16-18

newborns typically sleep how many hours a day?

half

newborns spend how much of their sleep in REM?

locate food

key point of rooting reflex

supports feeding

key point of sucking reflex

startle-like response

key point of moro reflex

later replaced by voluntary grasping

key point of grasping reflex

normal in young infants

key point of babinski reflex

babinski reflex

big toe extends upward and other toes fan out when the sole of the foot is strokes