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[Emergence and development of competence in young children]
H Montagner1, G Gauffier, B Epoulet
1l'Unité 70 de l'INSERM, 388, Montpellier.
Insights
Young children develop complex motor skills and social behaviors by 12 months of age when interacting in a stimulating environment. These skills rapidly advance through imitation and cooperation up to 18 months.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Pediatric motor development
- Childhood social behavior
Context:
- Understanding early childhood motor and social development is crucial.
- Previous research has not fully captured the complexity of these skills in young children.
- This study investigates skill development in a unique, interactive setting.
Purpose:
- To document the emergence and progression of motor skills and social behaviors in infants.
- To analyze the impact of a specialized environment on developmental trajectories.
- To compare observed development with established developmental scales.
Summary:
- Infants aged 8-11 months were observed over one year in a play area with climbing structures.
- Complex motor skills and social behaviors, including imitation and cooperation, emerged by 12 months.
- Significant advancements in skill consolidation, motor proficiency, and social interactions were noted between 12 and 18 months, with minimal aggression.
Impact:
- Early motor and social development may be accelerated in enriched, peer-interactive environments.
- Findings suggest current developmental scales may underestimate early capabilities.
- Highlights the importance of environmental factors in shaping infant development.
Background:
The childhood emergence and development of motor behavioural skills is imperfectly understood despite intensive study. This report is of the development of motor skills and social behaviour in young children.
Population And Methods:
17 infants (9 boys and 8 girls) in good health, aged 8 to 11 months at the beginning of the research, were studied. They were observed in groups of 6 for 30 minutes, in a special area fitted out with climbing structures, once every two weeks for one year. Their movements and behavior were filmed.
Results:
1) Motor skills which allow the "conquest" of climbing structures and complex social behaviors (multimodal interactions, imitations, cooperations, anticipations of behaviors) had developed by the time the children were 12 months old and were first examined. 2) From 12 to 14-15 months old, they consolidated these motor skills and the frequency of imitations and multimodal interactions increased markedly. 3) From 14 to 18 months old, they assumed the standing position more and more during ascents and descents and the frequency and diversity of imitations and cooperations increased sharply. 4) There was relatively little aggressive behavior at all ages.
Conclusions:
Motor skills and social behavior appear earlier and are more complex in children moving freely among their peers in a special setting than previously reported for developmental scales.