Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 20, 2026

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
11:29

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Published on: June 20, 2020

9.0K

A systematic review of portable technologies for the early assessment of motor development in infants

Weiyang Deng1, Megan K O'Brien1,2, Rachel A Andersen1

  • 1Technology & Innovation Hub, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA.

NPJ Digital Medicine
|January 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Portable technologies offer promising, objective infant motor development assessment for early detection of deficits. Further research is needed for robust, user-friendly tools to improve real-world behavioral measurement.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Early infant motor development screening is vital for timely intervention.
  • Traditional clinical assessments lack real-world behavioral data.
  • Portable technologies offer objective, precise, and ecologically valid infant motion measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review portable, technology-based solutions for early infant motor development assessment (first year).
  • To outline current challenges and future directions in this field.
  • To explore applications in automating assessments, discovering new measures, and predicting outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 66 publications.
  • Analysis of technologies including video and sensors.
  • Categorization of technology applications in infant motor assessment.

Main Results:

  • Portable technologies show a trend toward earlier and more accurate detection of motor development issues.
  • Key applications include automating clinical assessments, identifying novel developmental measures, and predicting outcomes.
  • A combination of video and sensor technologies is frequently utilized.

Conclusions:

  • Portable technologies hold significant promise for objective and ecologically valid infant motor assessment.
  • Further research with diverse demographics is essential for developing fully automated, robust, and user-friendly tools.
  • These advancements can enhance early detection and intervention for motor deficits.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: An Automated Method for Assessing Visual Acuity in Infants and Toddlers Using an Eye-Tracking System05:10

Author Spotlight: An Automated Method for Assessing Visual Acuity in Infants and Toddlers Using an Eye-Tracking System

Published on: March 17, 2023

2.6K
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable09:24

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable

Published on: May 17, 2024

1.3K

Related Concept Videos

Principles of Development01:31

Principles of Development

Physical development during the prenatal period and early childhood follows two major directional principles: cephalocaudal and proximodistal development. These general patterns happen simultaneously and help explain changes in body proportions and the gradual development of motor skills.Cephalocaudal DevelopmentThe cephalocaudal principle describes development from the head downward toward the lower body. During prenatal development, the head and brain structures develop rapidly before many...
Hand Control During Infancy and Toddlerhood01:31

Hand Control During Infancy and Toddlerhood

Hand movements during infancy and toddlerhood develop from broad, relatively uncontrolled actions into increasingly precise fine motor skills. This progression depends on nervous system maturation, improved muscle control, and repeated interaction with objects. Early reflexive movements gradually give way to intentional reaching, grasping, object manipulation, and tool use.Early Grasping SkillsNewborns show a strong palmar grasp reflex, automatically closing their fingers when the palm is...
Locomotion During Infancy and Toddlerhood01:29

Locomotion During Infancy and Toddlerhood

Children develop a wide range of gross motor skills during the first three years, as increasing muscle strength, balance, coordination, and nervous system maturation allow greater control over body movements. Development generally progresses from basic postural control to independent movement and later to activities such as jumping, climbing, and pedaling.Motor Development During the First YearMost infants begin rolling during the first several months, although the timing and direction can vary.
Gestures During Infancy and Toddlerhood01:29

Gestures During Infancy and Toddlerhood

Gestures are nonverbal movements of the hands, arms, or face that allow infants and toddlers to communicate emotions, needs, and intentions before speech develops. Gesture use generally appears before spoken language and decreases as vocabulary expands. For example, an 11-month-old may raise their arms to request being picked up, whereas an 18-month-old may say “up.”Types of GesturesChildren mainly use deictic and representational gestures. Deictic gestures emerge around six months and include...
Motor Skills Development During Early Childhood01:30

Motor Skills Development During Early Childhood

Early childhood is a period of rapid motor development in which children refine gross and fine motor skills. These abilities increase independence and support social interaction, play, and learning.Gross Motor SkillsGross motor skills involve coordinated movements of large muscle groups, including running, jumping, and climbing. By about 2.5 years, most children can jump with both feet. Hopping, which requires greater balance and strength, usually emerges around age 4.Stair climbing also...