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The relation between neonatal and later activity and temperament
Insights
Neonatal movement vigor predicts childhood activity levels and temperament. More vigorous infants tend to be more active and approach new experiences, while less vigorous infants become less active children.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Temperament Research
Background:
- Early childhood activity levels are thought to influence temperament.
- Longitudinal studies suggest activity characteristics persist over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between neonatal movement vigor and childhood activity levels.
- To examine the association between early activity and later temperamental style in children.
Main Methods:
- Monitored activity of 50 children as neonates using electronic monitors.
- Re-monitored activity of the same children (4-8 years old) using ambulatory microcomputers.
- Parents completed the Behavioral Style Questionnaire to assess temperament.
Main Results:
- Neonatal and childhood day/night activity levels were unrelated.
- Neonatal movement vigor positively correlated with higher daytime activity in childhood.
- Least vigorous neonates became the least active children during the day.
- Most active neonates became children who approached new experiences, according to parents.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal movement vigor is a predictor of childhood activity levels.
- Early motor activity influences the development of approach-related temperamental style.
- Activity characteristics established in infancy can persist and shape later behavior.
Abstract:
Evidence from several longitudinal studies suggests that individual activity characteristics tend to persist over time and to influence the development of temperamental style. The activity of 50 children whose motility had been monitored by an electronic activity monitor when they were neonates was again monitored by an ambulatory microcomputer when they were 4-8 years old. Additionally, the parents of these children filled out the Behavioral Style Questionnaire by McDevitt and Carey. The results showed that the level of the children's day and night activity was unrelated. The vigor of neonatal movements was later positively related to high daytime activity. Also, the least vigorous infants tended to become the most inactive children during the day. The results further showed that the most active neonates became children who, as perceived by their parents, tended to approach rather than withdraw from new experiences.