Читать книгу Developmental Psychopathology - Группа авторов - Страница 63

At one time it was presumed that our brain had a predetermined sequence of motor development that would enable certain physical abilities to activate according to a predetermined timeline. However, this belief is now considered to be too simple. Instead, Thelen (2005) introduced the dynamic systems theory (DST), which supports the idea that motor development is influenced by an individual’s interaction with their environment, thereby suggesting that there are multiple factors involved in the speed and sequence of motor development. Developmental norms have been established to understand large samples, but individual differences are present and are important to consider when attempting to determine what is normal versus abnormal motor development.

Much of the research on motor development has focused on the development of fine motor skills, which involve the development and coordination of the small muscles of the body, and gross motor skills, which involve the large muscles of the body and allow for locomotion to occur. As infants and children grow, both their fine and gross motor skills are fine‐tuned through various experiences in a predictable progression, although the timing of these skills varies.