mountain of motor development

reflexive period

 Dominated by Reflexive Movement

◦Response to stimuli

◦Not voluntary

• Subcortical

 Lasts from -3m – initial weeks after birth

 Primarily Responsible for Survival

◦Protection, Nourishment, etc

◦Initiate and facilitate interaction with the world.

◦Bonding with Caregivers and development of future voluntary activity

 Reflexes can be used to determine if proper development is occurring.

◦Reflexes that persist or are absent indicate developmental problems.

Preadapted period

 Voluntary Movement is the Key feature of the preadapted stage

 Originate in the higher brain centers (Cortical)

 Conscious effort to move

 Locomotion is a key developmental milestone in preadapted level.

◦Sitting, Standing, Walking

 Ends when the child can walk and self-feed.

◦This is a developmental rather than chronological milestone.

 Rudimentary skill development

◦Still primarily guided by survival and environmental constraints

fundamental patterns period

 Highlighted by the establishment of an array of movements that enable quantity and quality of movement skill later in life.

◦Constraints (Environmental, Emotional, Genetic factors) play a large role in individualization during this time.

 Emergence of Fundamental Motor Skills

◦Locomotor – Run, Hop, Jump, Skip, etc

◦Object Control – Throw, Stike, Kick, Punt, Catch etc

 Fine Motor Manipulation is included in this period

◦Writing, drawing, use of tools for eating, playing musical instruments

◦Level of achievement is effected by previous periods and constraints

 CRITICAL STAGE

 Referred to by Clark and Metcalf as “Base Camp”

context-specific period

 Begins to split into peaks

◦This indicates the acquisition of skills that not everyone pursues

◦Experimental at this time – Driven by interest, not a desire to excel

◦Movements become varied and more advanced

 Environmental, Familial, and Peer influence are strong in this period and can limit or expand differentiation of skills

◦Personal Decision becomes a part of skill acquisition

◦Dedication – Sacrifice – Desire – Goals – Enjoyment

◦Intrinsically Motivation is Primary

◦Social and Caregiver Acceptance can provide Extrinsic Motivation

skillful period

 Requires both experience and practice

◦Broad Base of Skills from previous period will assist individuals in developing skills to the elite or skillful level

◦Intentional

◦Requires Months or Years of dedication

◦NOT ACHIEVED BY ALL

◦Constraints

◦Ability to give primary attention to strategy and adaptations to movement during performance.

◦IMPROVISATION

◦High Individual Motivation

◦Cannot be coached or forced to this level

◦

 The development of skill is the result of gradual, sequential, progressive refinement of movement ability over a relatively long period of time.

Maintenance of these skills requires effort and cannot be maintained forever.