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Physical & Motor Development
Gross Motor Development
WiseTip: PM-GMO-M0003-G01C

During tummy time, enourage your baby to move and explore using other body parts such as hands, arms and legs.

0-3 months
Caregiving
WHY IT MATTERS

Movement impacts infants' brain development and the establishment of neurological pathways. Babies who spend too much time in cribs, highchairs, swings, or other commercialised equipment will not develop adequately.

1
  1. Isbell, C., & Isbell, R. T. (2007). On the Move: Environments that stimulate motor and cognitive development in infants. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 35(3), 30-35.

Informing babies about what will happen next as part of routine care allows them to trust and be attached to their caregivers. The development of trust

2, 3

  1. Erickson, M. F., Korfmacher, J., & Egeland, B. (2008). Attachments past and present: Implications for therapeutic intervention with mother–infant dyads. Development and Psychopathology, 4(4), 495–507. doi:10.1017/S0954579400004843

  2. Schaffer, H. R., & Emerson, P. E. (2008). The development of social attachments in infancy. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 29(3), 1–77.

and
secure attachments

Secure Attachment - The infants use the parent as a secure base. When separated, they may or may not cry, but if they do, it is because the parent is absent, and they prefer her to the stranger. When the parent returns, they actively seek contact, and their crying is reduced immediately.1

1. Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development (9th ed.). New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education.

becomes an important fundamental factor in fostering infants’ growth and development.
4
  1. Ebbeck, M., Phoon, D., Tan-Chong, E., Tan, M., & Goh, M. (2015). A Research Study on Secure Attachment Using the Primary Caregiving Approach. Early Childhood Education Journal, 43(3), 233–240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-014-0647-4

Babies are put to sleep on their backs to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

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  1. Parks, L. (2014). Sensorimotor development: Hands-on activities for infants and toddlers. Texas Child Care, 37(4), 19–28. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=95444408&site=ehost-live
A study found that infants’ gross motor development may be related to sleep and play positioning.
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  1. Salls, J. S., Silverman, L. N., Gatty, C. M. (2002). The Relationship of Infant Sleep and Play Positioning to Motor Milestone Achievement. American Journal Occupational Therapy, 56(5), 577-580. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.56.5.577

When infants lay with their heads flat against a surface for large amounts of time, there are harmful effects on gross motor development such as delayed rates of motor development, and increased incidences of torticollis (shortening of neck muscles on one side) and plagiocephaly (misshaping of the head).

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  1. Dotseth-Hall, A. (2015). Making Time for Tummy Time. Exchange (19460406), (225), 64–66. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=109928612&site=ehost-live

Tummy time strengthens neck and upper back muscles, which allow infants to hold up and turn their heads. Tummy time also gives babies a different view of the world.

5
  1. Parks, L. (2014). Sensorimotor development: Hands-on activities for infants and toddlers. Texas Child Care, 37(4), 19–28. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=95444408&site=ehost-live

Reflexes help parents and infants establish gratifying interaction. A baby who searches for and successfully finds the nipple, sucks easily during feedings. Parents can also make use of reflexes to comfort babies.

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  1. Berk, L. E. (2017). Exploring lifespan development. Pearson.