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Associations between gross motor skills and cognitive development in toddlers

Sanne L C Veldman1, Rute Santos2, Rachel A Jones1

  • 1Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.

Early Human Development
|April 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Gross motor skills in toddlers are positively linked to cognitive development. Promoting early motor skills may support cognitive growth in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Early childhood is a critical period for both motor and cognitive development.
  • Understanding the interplay between motor skills and cognitive abilities is essential for early intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between gross motor skills and cognitive development in toddlers.
  • To provide evidence for the importance of motor skill development in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 335 Australian toddlers (19.8 ± 4.08 months).
  • Gross motor skills assessed using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2).
  • Cognitive development evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III).

Main Results:

  • A significant positive association was found between gross motor skills and cognitive development (p < 0.001).
  • Both locomotion and object manipulation components of gross motor skills were positively linked to cognitive development (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Higher levels of gross motor skills correlate with better cognitive development in toddlers.
  • Early promotion of gross motor skills is recommended to potentially enhance cognitive development in early childhood.
Abstract

Keywords:
CognitionEarly childhoodLocomotor skillsObject manipulation skillsStability skills

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