Superimposes findings of research in learning disabilities on Piagetian stages of cognitive development. Results suggest that during sensorimotor stage, diagnosis of learning disabilities is difficult. Findings suggest delay exists in cognitive development of learning-disabled children during elementary school years, which corresponds to…

Primates, including humans, communicate using facial expressions, vocalizations and often a combination of the two modalities. For humans, such bimodal integration is best exemplified by speech-reading--humans readily use facial cues to enhance speech comprehension, particularly in noisy environments. Studies of the eye movement patterns of human…

Motor learning is a very basic, essential form of learning that appears to share common mechanisms across different motor systems. We evaluate and compare a few conceptual models for learning in a relatively simple neural system, the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) of vertebrates. We also compare the different animal models that have been used to…

Historically, sensory systems have been largely ignored as potential loci of information storage in the neurobiology of learning and memory. They continued to be relegated to the role of "sensory analyzers" despite consistent findings of associatively induced enhancement of responses in primary sensory cortices to behaviorally important signal…

Two recent conferences on the science of sport have focused on the topic of sports for older people. Investigations have been made on the special demand in motor learning, in table-tennis, family-tennis, gymnastics, and dancing. This paper summarizes some experiences and conclusions drawn from these studies, including special notes on isolated…

The paper describes a Logo environment designed by an occupational therapist to help 10 disabled students (6-9 years old) explore relative distance, directionality, and spatial relations. The program's goals include enhancing students' language development, planning skills, decision making, risk taking, and problem solving. Logo is briefly…

Researchers have found that the elderly are as capable of learning motor skills as younger persons but perform better under some conditions than others. For example, the elderly learn and perform motor skills more efficiently when there is additional time to respond to stimulus. Tasks which are self-regulated rather than directed by an external…

Literature examining elements influencing the production of consistent human movement is reviewed in this paper. The review is limited to theoretical papers and research studies on sport-related tasks that utilize actual representations of movement, e.g., film, electromyogram, or videotape; rather than movement only implied from goal attainment,…

This paper describes the value of movement education for all children and provides examples of various worksheets that can be used in the physical education setting to enhance various lesson themes and objectives for movement education. The use of worksheets can assist the physical educator in determining if concepts can be demonstrated in a…

The motor creativity of preschoolers when encountering a novel piece of athletic equipment was observed and analyzed. The London Trestle Tree Apparatus, consisting of eight trestles of various sizes, two poles, a rope ladder, two ropes, pommel top, rubber top, balance bar, slide plank, ladder, and beat board was erected for the children to use in…

A motor-sensory training program was established to meet developmental motor needs of behaviorally disordered children (6 to 8 years old). Most of the children had motor deficiencies, as well as diagnosed learning disabilities, and some children were entered in the program not because of motor deficiencies but because of their extreme motor…

The language development activities suggested in this pamphlet are designed to involve parents of five-year-old children in the development of the children's capacity to learn. Arranged by general time frames, the suggested activities are accompanied by the expected learning outcomes, such as using action words effectively in sentences, using…

There are three main reasons why reading research has not had a stronger influence on what goes on in schools. The first reason is the powerful impact of social forces such as the bandwagon effect, the pendulum swing, and the prevailing climate of opinion. These factors determine to an unfortunately large degree whether or not particular research…