Both physical education and youth sport are essential for the motor development of children. Sport-specific skills should be built on a sound movement foundation. Children need to be allowed to mature and to develop to higher levels of proficiency before being thrust into a competitive environment. (JN)

The variety of hand grips of 12 children, most of whom were moderately or severely retarded, were classified in order to begin an analysis of hand function. Test reliability was not as great when items were presented to the children as compared to when children were observed or rated by videotape. (FG)

Outlines a procedure for predicting the appropriateness of signing as a communicative technique for individuals with speaking impairments. The procedure compares a potential learner's motor control with those necessary for the handshapes, location, and movements of a compiled vocabulary. A procedure for predicting future possible vocabulary is…

Major research issues in the area of motor programing are described along with current thinking from centralists and peripheralists concerning the central control of action in various theories of motor program structures. (CJ)

Advances in the area of biomechanics assisted by the use of cinematography and computers are outlined. (JMF)

Thirty-two preschool children were matched by age, sex, and pretest scores on spatial concept knowledge. Four groups were (1) instruction (see and hear) only, (2) verbal repetition, (3) fine motor treatment (hand manipulation), and (4) gross motor treatment (body movement). There was no difference in performance between groups given instruction…

Argues that children can dance before they can talk and discusses how teachers can encourage this innate talent. (MP)

Visual discrimination and motor reproduction tasks involving computer-simulated arm movements were administered to 12 adults with mental retardation and a gender-matched control group. The purpose was to examine whether inadequacies in visual perception account for the poorer motor performance of this population. Results indicate both perceptual…

A study of children (ages 3-5 and 11-13) with autism (n=35), learning disabilities (n=26), or no disabilities (n=90) found that the nondisabled children were more lateralized than others in degree and consistency of handedness. No evidence was found of a dissociation of hand skill and hand preference in children with autism, compared to others.…

Compared the postural responsiveness of seven-, eight-, and nine-month-old infants. Results indicated greater use of optic flow for postural control after a self-produced locomotor experience. Infants with endogenous (creeping) or artificial (walker) self-produced locomotor experience responded to portions of the optic flow field, whereas…

Briefly described is the development of motor activity in children with profound mental retardation through use of parent/child dyads. Parent and child are jointly trained using a specific program of lessons combined with home training. Advantages of this method are noted. (Author/JDD)

Reviews literature concerning Down Syndrome, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy in children. Emphasizes the continued need for advances in intervention strategies and technology and the more general need for methodological rigor in research. (RJC)

Beginning at an early age, children need a variety of regular activities focusing on health-related fitness and motor skills development presented in a funfilled environment. Such activity helps them to move more efficiently, use objects, establish healthy exercise habits, and develop essential motor skills. (CB)