Baby’s Motor Development and Cognitive Scores

A large study by the Centre for Longitudinal Studies analyzed the data of 15,000 children in the United Kingdom. The data revealed that 1 in 10 children exhibited delays in gross and fine motor development at 9 months of age. The delay in motor development at 9 months was significantly associated with delayed cognitive development at 5 years of age. In addition, the delays in gross motor skill development at 9 months had a significant impact on a child’s behavior at 5 years of age. The researchers also determined that a good mother child relationship significantly benefits the cognitive and behavioral traits of children in poverty. Read the full press release here.

Reference: Simple tests in babyhood ‘could point to children who need help with learning’ Retrieved from the web on 2/18/2010 from http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/news.asp?section=000100010003&item=557