The development of hand-mouth coordination in 2- to 5-month-old infants: Similarities with reaching and grasping

Lew, AR; Butterworth, G

HERO ID

1060835

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1997

HERO ID 1060835
In Press No
Year 1997
Title The development of hand-mouth coordination in 2- to 5-month-old infants: Similarities with reaching and grasping
Authors Lew, AR; Butterworth, G
Journal Infant Behavior and Development
Volume 20
Issue 1
Page Numbers 59-69
Abstract Recent studies have found that elements of hand–mouth coordination are embedded within the spontaneous general movements of newborns. Little is known about the subsequent development of the coordination, however. The hand–mouth movements of 14 infants were studied longitudinally between 2–5 months of age at monthly intervals. At 4 months of age, contacts on other parts of the face diminished, such that there was a focus on the mouth. Anticipatory mouth opening was not found at 4 months but started to occur at 5 months. These results are accounted for in terms of involuntary general movements, as well as neuromuscular immaturity constraining the expression of hand–mouth coordination before 4 months of age. This pattern of development compares with the related coordination of reaching and grasping.
Doi 10.1016/S0163-6383(97)90061-8
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Keyword hand–mouth coordination; infancy; reaching; grasping
Is Qa No