A pretest-posttest control group design was used to measure the effect of practical life materials (e.g., tweezers, tongs, spoons) on kindergarten children's fine motor skill development. Experimental and control group teachers reported equal amounts of fine motor activity in their classrooms; however, significant interaction effects were found…

Explored how parents appraise their children and use information about child development in appraisal process. Utilized structured interview with 100 parents seeking well-child pediatric care. Proposes four-part model of the appraisal process based on findings that parents observe, compare, appraise, and explain the appraisals of their child's…

Neurochemical and psychological effects of fenfluramine were examined on 20 autistic children (aged 1-10) over a 48-week period. A decrease in abnormal motor behavior was found, but no improvement in intellectual functioning. Serotonin decreased 53 percent after fenfluramine treatment and rebounded to levels 35 percent higher than baseline…

Kicking activities are recommended to provide severely disabled children with greater coordination, improved dexterity, increased leg strength, and physical enjoyment. Steps are outlined to achieve three goals: touch a ball, push a ball, and kick a ball. Several teaching suggestions are provided. (JDD)

This article is excerpted from a speech by co-founder of Women's Sports Foundation. Sports is a vital part of our socialization process. The level and quality of participation contributes to such diverse issues as girls' mathematical ability, sense of isolation, and self-esteem. (IAH)

Discusses the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) which is used to investigate the neural basis for motor learning in monkeys. Suggests organizing principles that may apply in forms of motor learning as a result of similarities among VOR and other motor systems. (Author/RT)

This article highlights difficulties in replicating the Andras Peto Institute for Motor Disorders in Hungary by establishing the Birmingham (England) Institute for Conductive Education, for children with cerebral palsy. Difficulties included a lack of conductive education principles in clear English, failure to properly identify children who could…

Isometric pinch force regulation was investigated in children and adults using a visuo-motor tracking paradigm. Younger children aged 5-7 years performed significantly worse than older children aged 9-11 years and adults in terms of an overall error score as well as a correlation score, which is believed to reflect the ability to predict the…

This study found that 5 7-year-old and 4 10-year-old prelingually hearing-impaired children displayed evidence of anticipatory coarticulation based on temporal and spectral cues, but they did so to a lesser degree than normally hearing children. (Author/JDD)

Offers a rationale for parent involvement in early childhood education. Describes the benefits of mother-child gymnastics in terms of the development of motor skills and positive attitudes toward school. Highlights particular exercises and games. (AC)

Fourteen five- and nine-month-old infants were presented with illuminated toys to reach for in total darkness. In half the trials, a luminescent marker was attached to the reaching hand. The nine-month olds reached just as accurately with or without the hand marker, whereas five-month olds were generally inaccurate and unaffected by the marker.…

Using a dynamic systems approach, examined the development of intralimb coordination over the first year of independent walking in three infants. Found that, in the first month of walking, there was much instability between the thigh and shank of the leg, but after three months infants appeared to have found an adult-like stable coordinative…

This study reports effects of a neurobehavioral intervention approach on motor skills of four children (ages 1 to 3) with cerebral palsy. Children demonstrated generalization of the movement component by using it to perform both a treated exemplar skill and an untreated exemplar skill, indicating that motor skills can be treated concurrently.…

Examined organization of 5.5, 8.5, and 11.5-month-olds' reaching skill for stationary and moving targets. Found that infants of all ages made anticipatory adjustments of hand alignment; effectiveness of these adjustments improved with age. Regardless of age, infants used dynamic information from spinning and oscillating targets to update ongoing…

Examined infants' ability to retrieve an object from atop a slightly larger object. Found that even 5-month-olds could retrieve objects close in size and fully contiguous with their bases when demands on reaching skill were reduced. Proposed that when they fail this task, it is because they lack the skill to reach the top object without…