Kinesthetic Development

Abstract

Kinesthesis is one's body sense that is derived from multiple receptors throughout the body. Infantile reflexes elicited prenatally indicate that at least some kinesthetic receptors are functional before birth. The muscle spindle receptors that play the major role in position and movement sense are mature by 3 years of age. Kinesthetic perception is also functional at birth, yet proprioceptive sensitivity and precision, tactile localization, and various aspects of body awareness develop in childhood, with large improvement by about 8 years and smaller refinements extending into adolescence. Perceptual intermodal integration (sensory integration) is also functional at birth. Amodal attributes of objects and events can be transferred between vision and kinesthesis during the first year of life. As with aspects of kinesthetic development, large improvements in integration are seen during childhood, with smaller refinements into adolescence.