1-1: Motor Development 1 (Theories and Factors that Impact Development)

Question 1

What is Motor Development?

Answer 1

Evolution of changes in motor behavior occurring as a

result of growth, maturation, and experience

Question 2

Theoretical Perspectives of motor development

Answer 2

• Neural-Maturationist theory
• Cognitive theory
• Dynamic Systems theory

Question 3

Neural-Maturationist theory

Answer 3

• Genetically predetermined; neurologically driven

* Primitive reflexes are the building blocks of development

Question 4

What drives development in the neural-maturationist theory?

Answer 4

• Brain/CNS drives
  development
• Maturation is hierarchical

Question 5

Describe development in the neural-maturationist theory

Answer 5

• Linear, predictable order

- Focus is on milestones

Question 6

Application of the neural-maturationist theory

Answer 6

• Motor delay interpreted as undue influence of lower level

(brainstem) on the infant’s movement

Question 7

How are delays treated using neural-maturationist theory?

Answer 7

• Inhibit primitive reflexes to promote “higher” levels of the
nervous system
• Address milestones sequentially

Question 8

Cognitive theory

Answer 8

• Experience drives development
• Voluntary movements are learned from interacting with
environment
• Trial and error; conditioning

Question 9

Application of the cognitive theory

Answer 9

Motor delay interpreted as a lack of exploration through

sensorimotor system

Question 10

How are delays treated using cognitive theory?

Answer 10

• Provide variety of sensory experiences to encourage interaction
with environment
• Promote interaction with objects via hand over hand guidance to
demonstrate strategies

Question 11

Dynamic Systems theory

Answer 11

• Individual + Environment
• Multiple systems engage to affect change
• Nonlinearity
• Motor skills are learned through adaptation

Question 12

How are motor delays interpreted in dynamic systems theory?

Answer 12

as constraints in subsystems (impairments) limiting motor behavior

Question 13

Strategies for treating delays w/ dynamic systems theory

Answer 13

• Determine the constraint/parameter most affecting the motor skill
• Create environment that supports or compensates for the limitations
• Create task/practice environment to allow for success and for mistakes
• Promote a variety of movement patterns appropriate for the task
• Manipulate control parameters (speed, force production)
• High dose/repetitions

Question 14

Factors influencing child development

Answer 14

• Extrinsic to NS

- Intrinsic to NS

Question 15

Factors external to nervous system

Answer 15

• Anthropometrics and body mass
• Nutrition
• MSK system factors
• Cultural differences
• Task demands

Question 16

Factors internal to the nervous system

Answer 16

• Cognitive and behavioral factors (arousal, motivation, memory, etc)
• Sensory factors (vision, vestibular, somatosensory)