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Modeling the Cognitive Development Based on Fine Motor Skills in Preterm and Full-Term Toddlers Using Lasso
Ramazan Yildiz1, Ayse Yildiz1, Onur Camli2
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Insights
Fine motor skills, especially grasping, significantly impact cognitive development in toddlers. Early interventions focusing on motor skills can enhance cognitive outcomes for both preterm and term infants.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Neuroscience
- Early Childhood Education
Background:
- Understanding the interplay between motor skills and cognitive development is crucial for early childhood.
- Preterm infants often face developmental challenges compared to their term-born peers.
- Identifying factors influencing toddler development aids in targeted support strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fine motor skills and cognitive development in toddlers aged 12-15 months.
- To compare these developmental trajectories in preterm versus term infants.
Main Methods:
- 150 toddlers (79 preterm, 71 term) aged 12-15 months participated.
- Cognitive development assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III).
- Fine motor skills evaluated with Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2).
- Lasso regression model employed to analyze the relationship between fine motor skills and cognitive development.
Main Results:
- Fine motor skills, particularly grasping, significantly correlate with cognitive development.
- Preterm toddlers exhibited lower fine motor and cognitive scores than term toddlers.
- Gestational age and birth weight were identified as significant prenatal and perinatal factors influencing cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Motor skill-based interventions are vital for enhancing cognitive and overall development in early childhood programs.
- Findings highlight the need for early detection and support for motor skill deficits in toddlers.
- Further research is recommended to elucidate the causal pathways linking motor skills and cognitive development.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fine motor skills and cognitive development in preterm and term toddlers aged 12-15 months.
Methods:
A total of 150 participants, 79 preterm, and 71 term toddlers, were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III), for cognitive development and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2), for fine motor skills. The relationship between fine motor skills and cognitive development was examined with the lasso regression model.
Results:
The study revealed that fine motor skills, particularly grasping, significantly influence cognitive development, with preterm toddlers demonstrating lower scores compared to term peers. Additionally, prenatal and perinatal factors, including gestational age and birth weight, were found to correlate with cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions:
These findings emphasize the importance of integrating motor skill-based interventions into early childhood programs to enhance cognitive and overall developmental outcomes. Future research should explore the causal mechanisms underlying this relationship.
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