Notes that aesthetic movement is a thoughtful expression of some of the child's deepest intellectual intentions. Presents practical classroom activities for preschool settings that offer children opportunities to engage in aesthetic movement that will develop their intelligences, connections across various "knowledge domains," ability to…

Discusses stages of movement in the first 3 years of life with a philosophical dimension regarding evolutionary aspects of movement as first manifestation of "will." Describes how the early childhood environment is prepared to allow for movement and the connection between movement and brain development. Discusses the contribution of…

Reviewed are 14 studies employing single-subject methodology to investigate the results of interventions to improve developmental functioning in handicapped preschoolers. Interventions included treatments to develop physical responsiveness, increase feeding behavior, and decrease rumination or compulsive vomiting. Knowledge concerning the…

The study compared the motor activities and environmental interactions of sighted and visually impaired children (N=36), ages 7-13. Analysis suggested that some developmental delays in visually impaired children may result from lack of gross motor interactions with the environment. Implications for the design of play environments and personnel…

Discusses the importance of child caregivers' attention to normal development of infants during the first year of life. Gut level feelings about abnormality are significant in early diagnoses of handicapped children. A list of warning signs that indicate problems in motor development is included. (SH)

Two boys (ages 6 and 15) with severe, multiple handicaps participated in social play activities with 10 nonhandicapped fifth graders, who had been trained on interaction with socially withdrawn children. Increases in all participants' socially directed behavior were observed. Both boys with handicaps increased targeted motor responses when…

Discusses the recent change in direction in neuropsychological and neurolinguistic research from a focus on pathological factors to one that combines pathological and normal factors, the major focus being the motor and sensory processes. An attempt is made to outline the future course of this field. (CFM)

Comments on a study that reported the positive effects of a neurobehavioral intervention approach on motor skills of young children with cerebral palsy. Concludes that, in its current form, the neurobehavioral approach is only an initial step toward developing new methods for addressing challenging developmental concerns. (CR)

Notes children with movement difficulties do not receive neat diagnostic classification, as they have normal intelligence and minimal neurological signs. Details a study based on interviews of 11 parents of children with movement difficulties that revealed that parent involvement and knowledge is critical to acquiring professional attention.…

Presents the use of six sensorimotor functions (SMF) as a screening test for cerebral palsy in neonates. Functions include sitting in air, self-pulling to sit, self-propelling Katona slide crawl, assisted crawling, and elementary walking. Nine case examples are provided in an appendix. (Author/CR)

"Disc Jockey" is described as a classroom activity for junior high students with moderate/severe disabilities. The disc jockey of the day chooses music and operates a classroom tape recorder. The activity encourages students to learn days of the week, communication skills, age-appropriate behavior, and motor skills, and to develop feelings of…

Examines the weak relationship between structural and functional brain development. Maintains that variability is the basic characteristic of normal development, and that involves the ability to construct pluriform strategies and to select the proper strategy in any particular situation. Argues that McGraw recognized intra- and inter-individual…

This study assessed differences in oromotor development between 10 verbal and 10 nonverbal young children (ages 30 to 48 months), all with autism. A variety of oromotor difficulties were found in both groups, similar to those seen in children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. (DB)

Maintains that the "getting into shape" hypothesis of explaining the inverted-U distribution of exercise play across age is likely incorrect. Argues that the biological study of human physical activity play, as recommended by Pellegrini and Smith (1998), will reveal whether physical activity play represents an example of…

A longitudinal study of the developmental and behavioral characteristics of 26 boys (ages 12-36 months) with fragile X syndrome, found there was an increase in their developmental skills over time, although there was a great deal of variability. Motor skills appeared least delayed, whereas communication skills appeared most delayed. (Contains…