Motor Development and the Mind: The Potential Role of Motor Abilities as a Determinant of Aspects of Perceptual Development

Abstract

Recent advances in the science of human movement have enabled developmental psychologists to discover unique patterns of organization and control in infant motor behavior and development, provoking a resurgence of interest in this topic. In this article, we emphasize the role that motor development may play in determining developmental sequences or "timetables" in other domains. Specifically, we argue that particular motor achievements may be integral to developments in the domains of haptic perception and depth perception. In both cases, there is a high degree of fit between the developmental sequence in which certain perceptual sensitivities unfold and the ages at which the corresponding motor abilities onset. The discussions may provide new contexts in which to consider the developments of haptic perception and depth perception. The general purpose, however, is to highlight the wide-ranging influence of motor development during infancy.

Prehension in infant capuchins (Cebus apella) from six weeks to twenty-four weeks: Video analysis of form and symmetry

“…These data are not sufficient to draw detailed comparisons with human infants, for whom we have a rich data base on spontaneous manipulation under a variety of conditions [see Michel & Moore, 1995;Bushnell & Boudreau, 1993;von Hofsten, 1990, for review]. However, we can say that tufted capuchin monkeys from birth through about 16 weeks of age, at which time manipulation is very frequent and well-controlled, could provide a particularly useful developmental model of skilled manual activity for several reasons.…”

Literature Review on Motor Skill and Physical Activity in Preschool Children in New Zealand

“…The proposed relationship between motor development and cognitive development is not a new one, with early studies by Piaget (1953) suggesting that activity and sensorimotor experiences influence cognitive ability. Since then, several studies have examined the association between motor skill development in infants, toddlers and young children and cognitive ability in later life (Burns et al, 2004;Bushnell & Boudreau, 1993;Williams & Holley, 2013) and neuroscience techniques have provided greater insights in regards to brain development (Casey et al, 2005;Diamond, 2000). Brain imaging shows that brain regions associated with primitive motor and sensory functioning mature first, followed by brain regions associated with cognition and action (Casey et al, 2005) supporting the argument that basic sensory-motor skills form the foundation for higher-order cognitive abilities (Diamond, 2000).…”

Design of a novel mobility device controlled by the feet motion of a standing child: a feasibility study

“…The development of gross motor skills for independent mobility is a causal factor for many developmental domains, such as cognition, perception, and socialization [2,[4][5][6][7]. Certain mobility impairments, such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida, have impacts on a child's physical development and can lead to negative cognitive and psychological consequences [15].…”