Early motor experiences enhance infant development

The development of infants and their preference for faces and objects can be influenced significantly by their early motor experiences, a new study claims.

Research carried out by experts from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Vanderbilt University, published in the journal Developmental Science, suggests that providing infants with 'sticky mittens' to manipulate toys increases their interest in faces.

This advancement of social development could subsequently stimulate recognition in children with autism, says Dr Klaus Libertus, the study's lead author and a research scientist at the facility.

"For parents, this means that early motor development is very important and they should encourage motor experiences and active exploration by their child," he added.

As a recent study published by the British Psychological Society (BPS) determined that children at risk of autism display poorer movement as early as seven months old, Dr Libertus said the results provide experts with a new way to think about typical, and also atypical, development.

"Our results indicate a new direction for research on social development in infants," the specialist added.