UNIT 2

Motor Development

1. What is Motor Development?

Motor development is how we learn and refine movement skills throughout life. It starts from
birth and involves the coordination of muscles, the brain, and senses.

2. Theories of Motor Development

Triangulated Hourglass Heuristic

 A visual model showing how basic motor skills (crawling, walking) evolve into complex
ones (sports, daily activities).
 Influenced by personal abilities, environment, and activities.

Functions of Theoretical Models

1. Organizing Knowledge – Combines research into a structured understanding.

o Example: Linking how babies move, how kids play, and how adults stay active.
2. Inspiring Research – Helps scientists form new questions and find answers.
o Example: Studying how practice improves motor skills.

Role of Theories

 Descriptive: Explains what happens at different life stages (e.g., babies grab objects,
teens improve sports skills).
 Explanatory: Explains why these behaviors happen (e.g., reflexes help babies survive,
brain growth improves movement).

3. Research Approaches in Motor Development

Inductive vs. Deductive Models

Inductive Models (Observation-Based)

 Researchers observe behaviors and then form a theory.

 Example: Watching toddlers walk and developing a model of early motor learning.
 Strengths: Real-world, data-driven approach.
 Weaknesses: Lacks structure if observations are inconsistent.

Deductive Models (Theory-Based)

 Starts with a theory, then tests it with experiments.

  Example: "If practice improves balance, then toddlers who practice walking daily should
be more stable."
 Strengths: Organized, allows hypothesis testing.
 Weaknesses: Requires experiments to confirm or refine ideas.

4. Phases of Motor Development (Gallahue’s Hourglass Model)

This model explains how motor skills develop over time, influenced by nature (genetics) and
nurture (environment).

Phase 1: Reflexive Movement (0-1 year)

 Involuntary movements like sucking, grasping, and rooting.

 Essential for survival and the foundation for voluntary movements.

Phase 2: Rudimentary Movement (0-2 years)

 Basic voluntary movements develop (e.g., sitting, crawling, walking, grasping).

 These movements start uncoordinated but improve with practice.

Phase 3: Fundamental Movement (2-6 years)

 Key motor skills like running, jumping, throwing develop.

 Movement progresses through three stages:
1. Initial Stage – Movements are clumsy.
2. Elementary Stage – Control improves but lacks smoothness.
3. Mature Stage – Movements become coordinated and efficient.
 Environmental factors (play, sports, and training) have a big impact.

Phase 4: Specialized Movement (7+ years to adulthood)

 Fundamental skills become refined and goal-oriented (e.g., sports, professional work).
 Movement progresses through:
1. Transitional Stage – Applying skills to new activities.
2. Application Stage – Refining skills for personal interests (e.g., sports).
3. Lifelong Utilization Stage – Using skills for fitness, recreation, or work.

5. Why is Motor Development Important?

 Helps understand how motor skills develop and improve over time.
 Guides teachers, therapists, and coaches in designing age-appropriate activities.
 Shows the balance between genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in skill
development.

Final Summary
  Motor development involves learning movements from birth to adulthood.
 Theories (like the Hourglass Model) explain how skills grow and why they change.
 Research uses Inductive (observation-based) and Deductive (theory-based) methods.
 Motor skills evolve through four phases: Reflexive → Rudimentary → Fundamental →
Specialized.
 Understanding motor development helps in education, sports training, and therapy.

Reflexive Phase in Gallahue’s Hourglass Model

Gallahue’s Hourglass Model of Motor Development explains how movement skills develop
from birth to adulthood. The "sand" in the hourglass represents motor skills, starting with
reflexive movements and progressing to specialized skills.

Stages in the Model

1. Reflexive Movement Phase (Birth – 1 Year) → Involuntary movements (reflexes).

2. Rudimentary Movement Phase (0 – 2 Years) → First voluntary movements (e.g.,
grasping, crawling).
3. Fundamental Movement Phase (2 – 7 Years) → Basic skills (e.g., running, jumping).
4. Specialized Movement Phase (7+ Years) → Advanced skills (e.g., sports, dance).

Reflexive Phase (Birth – 1 Year)

✅ Definition: Automatic responses to stimuli that prepare the body for voluntary movement.
✅ Purpose:

 Helps with survival (e.g., sucking reflex for feeding).

 Aids brain development and movement control.
 Forms the base for future motor skills.

Two Stages of the Reflexive Phase

1. Information Encoding Stage (Prenatal – 4 Months)

📌 Key Points:

 Reflexes happen automatically in response to touch, sound, or light.

 They help with survival and early movement control.
📌 Examples:
🔹 Primitive Reflexes (For Survival)
 Rooting Reflex → Baby turns toward a touch on the cheek (helps in feeding).
 Sucking Reflex → Baby sucks when lips are touched.
 Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex) → Baby throws arms out when startled.

🔹 Postural Reflexes (For Movement)

  Tonic Neck Reflex → When the head turns, one arm extends while the other bends.
 Palmar Grasp Reflex → Baby grips objects placed in the palm.

📌 Why It’s Important:

 Helps babies adjust to their surroundings.

 Forms the first step in learning to move.

2. Information Decoding Stage (4 Months – 1 Year)

📌 Key Points:

 Reflexes start disappearing as babies gain voluntary control over movements.

 Helps in balance, coordination, and movement.
📌 Examples:
🔹 Postural Reflexes (For Balance & Coordination)
 Righting Reflex → Helps keep the head and body upright.
 Parachute Reflex → Baby extends arms when tilted forward (as if to protect from
falling).
 Stepping Reflex → Baby makes stepping motions when feet touch the ground.

📌 Why It’s Important:

 Reflexes turn into voluntary movements like reaching, rolling, crawling.

 Prepares the body for standing and walking.

Reflexes & the Hourglass Model

1. Reflexes Are the "First Sand Grains" in the Hourglass

 Motor development starts with reflexes and expands over time.

2. Transition to Rudimentary Movements

 Reflexes don’t just disappear—they evolve into voluntary skills.

o Palmar grasp reflex → Becomes voluntary grasping.
o Stepping reflex → Becomes walking.

3. What If Reflexes Stay Too Long or Disappear Too Soon?

🚨 If reflexes persist, it may indicate neurological issues (e.g., cerebral palsy).
🚨 If they disappear too early, it may cause movement and balance problems.

Why is the Reflexive Phase Important?

🔹 Checks Brain & Nerve Health → Doctors check reflexes to assess development.
🔹 Foundation for Future Skills → Reflexes help babies learn how to move.
🔹 Early Learning → Helps babies understand their body movements.

How Caregivers & Educators Can Help

✅ Give tummy time to strengthen muscles.

✅ Provide sensory experiences (soft textures, gentle sounds).
✅ Watch reflex patterns and seek medical help if needed.
✅ Let babies move freely to explore their motor skills.

Conclusion

 Reflexes are the starting point for all movement.

 They lay the foundation for voluntary motor skills.
 Understanding this phase helps track normal development and spot potential problems
early.

Rudimentary Movement Phase

The rudimentary movement phase is the first stage where infants show voluntary movements
(birth to 2 years). These early movements are essential for survival and future motor skills.

Key Features

✅ Biologically Driven → follows a natural sequence (same for all children).

✅ Development Varies → Speed of learning differs due to genetics and environment.
✅ Main Movement Types:

 Stability → Controlling head, neck, and body.

 Manipulation → Reaching, grasping, releasing objects.
 Locomotion → Crawling, creeping, walking.

This phase has two stages:

1. Reflex Inhibition Stage (Birth – 1 Year)

✅ What Happens?

 Reflexes dominate movement (e.g., sucking, grasping).

 Brain develops, reducing reflexes and increasing voluntary control.

✅ Examples:

 Rooting Reflex → Baby turns head when cheek is touched (helps in feeding).
 Grasping Reflex → Baby automatically holds objects placed in hand.
✅ Movement Nature:

 Early voluntary actions are uncontrolled and rough.

 Example: A baby tries to grab a toy but moves the whole arm, not just the hand.

✅ Transition to Voluntary Actions:

 Reflexes fade as babies practice and learn through interaction.

 Example: Baby tries to grasp a toy intentionally but struggles at first.

2. Precontrol Stage (1 – 2 Years)

✅ What Happens?

 Movements become smoother, more controlled, and precise.

 Brain and body coordination improve, leading to better motor skills.

✅ Key Skills Developed:

 Balance → Standing and walking.

 Manipulation → Better hand control (grasping and releasing objects).
 Locomotion → Crawling, creeping, and eventually walking improves.

✅ Major Progress:

 Infants adapt to their surroundings, improving their movements.

 Actions become deliberate, controlled, and goal-oriented.

Important Insights

🔹 Motor development is NOT fixed – it depends on practice and environment.

🔹 Reflexes start strong but fade as voluntary actions take over.
🔹 Learning happens through repetition, movement exploration, and brain growth.
🔹 Caregivers play a role → Encouraging play and movement helps development.

Final Summary

 The rudimentary movement phase is from birth to 2 years.

 Starts with reflexes, then moves to voluntary control.
 Movements go from uncoordinated to precise.
 Infants develop stability, manipulation, and locomotion skills.
 Practice, environment, and brain growth help improve movement control.

FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT PHASE & SPECIALIZED MOVEMENT PHASE

Fundamental Movement Phase (Approx. 2–7 years)

This phase marks the development of foundational motor skills that are essential for later
participation in games, sports, and daily physical activities.

1. Initial Stage

 Characteristics:
o Movements are awkward, uncoordinated, and lack fluidity.
o Minimal control over rhythm, timing, and force.
o The child makes basic, unsystematic attempts to perform skills like running,
jumping, and throwing.
 Examples:
o A child may run with arms stiff or jump without proper balance.

2. Emerging Elementary Stage

 Characteristics:
o Improved control, with better rhythm and timing.
o Movements begin to look more organized, though they are still not consistent.
o Developing body awareness and spatial orientation (understanding of body
position and space).
 Examples:
o A child begins to jump with both feet, attempts to throw with some accuracy, or
uses alternate foot patterns while running.

3. Proficient / Mature Stage

 Characteristics:
o Movements are smooth, coordinated, and mechanically efficient.
o Mature skill patterns develop with good control over force, timing, and
accuracy.
o Child can adapt and apply the skills across various environments and activities.
 Examples:
o A child is able to dribble, jump rope, or throw a ball accurately over a distance.

SPECIALIZED MOVEMENT PHASE (Approx. 7+ years to adulthood)

This phase involves the refinement and application of fundamental skills into more complex,
activity-specific movements. It typically overlaps with increased exposure to organized games,
sports, and physical education.

1. Transitional Stage

 Characteristics:
o The child begins to combine fundamental skills into activity-specific movement
sequences.
o Introduction to rules, basic tactics, and structured practice.
 o Exploration of different sports or physical activities occurs.
 Examples:
o Combining running and kicking in soccer.
o Learning how to hold a bat and swing in baseball or cricket.

2. Application Stage

 Characteristics:
o The child selects specific activities based on interest, ability, and motivation.
o Skills are refined and practiced in more structured and competitive settings.
o Development of strategic and tactical thinking alongside physical performance.
 Examples:
o A child consistently practices basketball, swimming, or dance and learns
techniques, rules, and competition strategies.

3. Lifelong Utilization Stage

 Characteristics:
o Movement skills are maintained and adapted for recreation, competition, or
fitness throughout adulthood.
o Focus is on enjoyment, long-term health, and ongoing participation.
o The individual can perform these skills across various settings with ease.
 Examples:
o Adults engage in jogging, cycling, team sports, or fitness classes using previously
acquired movement competence.