Early Motor Development

Question 1

What is the importance of monitoring early motor behavior?

Answer 1

Link between motor development and cognitive function

Question 2

How do infants move?

Answer 2

Newborns exhibit both spontaneous and reflexive movements
Spontaneous: Movements not caused by known external stimuli
Reflexive: stereotypical responses elicited by specific external stimuli

Question 3

What is the theory behind spontaneous movement?

Answer 3

Original theory: no purpose
Current theory:
-building blocks
-similar to some voluntary movements

Question 4

What were the four environmental constraints when testing spontaneous movement and results?

Answer 4

1) Total water condition (up to neck)
2) Semi-water (up to waist)
3) Vertical (out of water)
4) Supine (on back)
Spontaneous movement decreases with more resistance

Question 5

What are reflexive movements?

Answer 5

occur quickly after onset of stimuli
involve a single muscle or specific group
persistence may indicate neurological problems

Question 6

What is the purpose of reflexive movements?

Answer 6

Built in responses facilitate survival
Reflexes allow ‘dialogue’ with environment
Reflexive movements result in sensory consequences
Provide building blocks for future movements
Three type
1) Primitive
2) Postural
3) Locomotive

Question 7

What is the assymetrical tonic neck?

Answer 7

Archer's Postition
Primitive
Start in supine
Turn head to the side
Same side arm and leg extend

Question 8

What is the palmar grasp reflex

Answer 8

Primitive
Touch baby’s palm
hands closes tightly around

Question 9

What is the plantar grasping reflex?

Answer 9

Primitive
Touch ball of foot
Toes contract around object

Question 10

What is the symmetrical tonic neck reflex?

Answer 10

Start in quadruped (hands and knees)
Two opposite positions
1) Extend head and neck
Arms extend, legs flex (sit)
2) Flex head and neck
Arms flex and legs extend (head on ground)

Question 11

What is the moro reflex?

Answer 11

Start in supine
Shake head (tap pillow)
Response (2fold)
1) arms, legs, fingers extend
2) arms and legs flex

Question 12

What is the babinski reflex?

Answer 12

stroke sole of foot (heel to toe)
Baby response: toes extend
Adult response: toes flex. If toes extend it is an indication of brain damage

Question 13

What happens during later infancy?

Answer 13

Voluntary control of movements
Understanding of environment, objects in environment
Meaningful interactions with others
Postural reactions

Question 14

When do postural reactions occur?

Answer 14

at 4 months

Question 15

What are postural reactions?

Answer 15

Help infant automatically maintain posture in changing environment
Keep head upright: keeps air passage open
Postural reactions don’t disappear. incorporated into general repetoire

Question 16

What is the labyrinthine righting reflex?

Answer 16

Infant supported
Tilt infant
head moves to stay upright

Question 17

What is the parachute reflex?

Answer 17

Start in upright position
lower infant to ground (simulate falling)
Legs and arms extend

Question 18

What is are locomotor reflexes?

Answer 18

Daily exercise of walking and placing reflexes in new borns lead to high rate of response by 8 wks
There is a critical period where walking response is transformed from a reflex to instrumental action

Question 19

What is the stepping reflex?

Answer 19

Start upright
Place soles of feet on flat surface
legs move in walking pattern

Question 20

What are motor milestones?

Answer 20

Fundamental motor skills
-building blocks
-Cumulative, sequential
Specific movements that lead to general actions

Question 21

What are the time periods for milestones

Answer 21

2 months lift head
3months lift shoulders
5 months toll over, sit up unsupported
7 months get on hands and knees
8 months creep on hands and knees
9 months pulls to stand
10 months stand alone
12 months walk alone