Early motor and cognitive development in typically developing children and those with or at high risk of cerebral
Kanishka Baduni1, Owais A Khan1, Christopher M Modlesky1
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
Insights
Early motor skills are linked to cognitive development in children up to age five. Motor impairments, especially in children at risk for cerebral palsy (CP), may impact cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Pediatric neurology
- Motor development
Background:
- Motor skills and cognitive development are crucial during early childhood.
- Understanding their relationship informs early intervention strategies.
- Cerebral palsy (CP) often involves motor impairments that may affect cognitive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between motor skills and cognitive development in children from birth to 5 years.
- To compare these associations in typically developing children and those with or at high risk of CP.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across five major databases.
- Studies reporting motor and cognitive outcomes in children aged 0-5 years were included.
- Findings were synthesized following PRISMA-ScR guidelines for scoping reviews.
Main Results:
- Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria.
- In typically developing children, motor skills, particularly fine motor skills, positively predicted cognitive abilities.
- Motor delays in children with or at high risk of CP were frequently linked to poorer cognitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Early motor proficiency is a consistent predictor of cognitive outcomes in early childhood.
- Motor impairments in children at risk for CP may hinder cognitive development.
- Further research is needed on underlying mechanisms and integrated motor-cognitive interventions.
Aim:
To examine associations between motor skills and cognitive development from birth to 5 years in typically developing children and children diagnosed with or at high risk of cerebral palsy (CP).
Method:
Following prospective registration, five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane) were searched to identify studies reporting motor and cognitive outcomes in children aged from birth to 5 years. Findings were synthesized using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.
Results:
Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. In typically developing children, motor skills consistently showed positive associations with later cognitive abilities, with fine motor skills having particularly strong predictive value. Among children with or at high risk of CP, developmental trajectories were more variable, yet motor delays were frequently associated with poorer cognitive performance.
Interpretation:
Early motor proficiency is consistently associated with cognitive outcomes during early childhood. Motor impairments among children with or at high risk for CP may constrain cognitive development. Future research should investigate underlying mechanisms and explore integrated interventions targeting motor and cognitive domains.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Three Developmental Domains
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
01:14Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development
Exploration...
01:30Information Processing Approach