A device for use in a motor learning laboratory is described. (MM)

Ten toddlers produced tokens of phonologically individualized words over 12 experimental sessions. Productions in later sessions were significantly shorter in vowel and overall duration than in the early sessions. Familiarity seemed to influence duration of early productions of novel words, and these findings are discussed as evidence of…

The persistence and generality of the contextual interference (CI) effect was tested using a rapid sequential aiming task. Participants (N = 48) practiced three movement patterns for three blocks of 18 trials under a blocked (BL) or random (RA) schedule. Movement patterns were displayed and KR provided throughout practice and testing. A 24-hr…

The acquisition of new skills over a life span is a remarkable human ability. This ability, however, is constrained by age of acquisition (AoA); that is, the age at which learning occurs significantly affects the outcome. This is most clearly reflected in domains such as language, music, and athletics. This article provides a perspective on the…

These experiments explored the role of prior experience in 12- to 18-month-old infants' tool-directed actions. In Experiment 1, infants' use of a familiar tool (spoon) to accomplish a novel task (turning on lights inside a box) was examined. Infants tended to grasp the spoon by its handle even when doing so made solving the task impossible (the…

The study tested the prediction that enforced sensory motor sets results in longer reaction and movement times than does enforced sensory set (concentrating on the stimulus). (Author/JA)

This speaker contends that many learning problems can be prevented, or at least lessened, by early intervention. This knowledge is what moves her to act. She describes how, while tutoring bright but nonachieving children in reading, she realized that it was the opportunities she provided the children for visual-motor perceptual training that were…

The effect of different simulator motion conditions on pilot performance was investigated, and the cuing function of simulator motion was explored. Subjects were required to perform a simulated air-to-air gunnery task under four conditions of motion. While treatment effects did not meet the predetermined level of statistical significance,…

GRADES OR AGES: Not specified. It appears to be for preschool and kindergarten. SUBJECT MATTER: Motor activities, including awareness of self, gross motor activities, fine motor activities, position in space, eye-motor skills, and creative motor skills. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The guide is divided into six sections, one for each of…

The study concerned the effects of induced interference, employing a backward masking paradigm, on the processing of sensory information and on the formation of perceptual-motor responses in 20 dyslexic and 20 normal children (mean age 8.2 years). (Author/PHR)

Thirty-five preschoolers, assigned to otitis media (OM) or no OM groups, were administered the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test and the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP). Children with a history of OM had significantly decreased scores on the Stepping and Vertical Writing MAP tests, indicating vestibulospinal dysfunction. (SK)

Contrary to Luria's hypothesis, verbal control did not affect sensori-motor performance in this experiment involving 160 preschool children in four age groups tested on Luria's 2-choice tasks. (WY)

A precise grading system in physical education has a salutary effect on motor learning. (JD)

A review of research since Ayers' (1972) report on sensory integration (SI) concludes that SI is not supported as an effective treatment for academic problems of children with learning disabilities. It is not clear whether SI is more effective than perceptual-motor approaches or maturation alone. (SK)

Previous research has demonstrated that compensatory movements for changes in visuomotor coupling often are not consciously detected. But what factors affect the conscious detection of such changes? This issue was addressed in 4 experiments. Participants carried out a drawing task in which the relative velocity between the actual movement and its…