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examBoard: AQA
examType: GCSE
lessonTitle: Movement and Cognition Development
Our brains undergo remarkable changes during the first few years of life. These changes enable us to develop from helpless newborns into walking, talking, thinking children. Let's explore how the brain develops and how this relates to our movement abilities.
Key Definitions:
Motor development follows a predictable pattern that builds from head to toe (cephalocaudal) and from the centre of the body outward (proximodistal). This sequence is largely influenced by brain maturation and myelination - the process where nerve fibres are coated with a fatty substance that speeds up neural transmission.
The brain undergoes several growth spurts during development. By age 2, the brain reaches about 80% of its adult size. During these periods, children are particularly sensitive to environmental influences. This is why early experiences are so crucial for healthy development.
Motor skills develop in a predictable sequence, though the exact timing can vary between children. Understanding these stages helps us recognise typical development and identify potential delays.
Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body and develop before fine motor skills. Here's how they typically progress:
By ages 3-5, children can typically hop, skip, jump and ride a tricycle. By 6-12 years, they develop more refined coordination for sports and complex physical activities.
Research by Campos et al. (2000) found that crawling experience is linked to cognitive advances. When babies begin to crawl, they develop spatial awareness, memory skills and social referencing (looking to others for emotional cues). This shows how motor development directly influences cognitive development.
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development helps us understand how children's thinking changes as they grow. Piaget proposed that children actively construct their understanding of the world through physical experiences and mental processes.
During this stage, babies learn about the world through their senses and motor actions. They develop object permanence (knowing objects exist even when out of sight) and begin to use symbols. Physical exploration is crucial for cognitive development at this stage.
Children now use symbols and language but struggle with logical thinking. Their play becomes more imaginative. Physical activities like climbing, running and manipulating objects help develop spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
The later stages - Concrete Operational (7-11 years) and Formal Operational (11+ years) - continue to build on these foundations, with movement skills supporting increasingly complex cognitive abilities.
Research increasingly shows that movement and cognition are deeply connected. Here's how they influence each other:
Diamond and Lee (2011) reviewed research on interventions that improve executive functions in children. They found that physical activities like martial arts, yoga and aerobic exercise significantly improved children's ability to concentrate, follow instructions and control impulses. Schools that incorporated more movement into learning saw improvements in both behaviour and academic achievement.
Both brain development and motor skills are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors:
While theories like Piaget's have been influential, modern research has revealed some limitations:
Understanding the connection between movement and cognition has important real-world applications:
Schools can incorporate movement breaks, active learning strategies and physical education to support cognitive development and academic achievement.
Early intervention programs can identify and address developmental delays through targeted movement activities that support both motor and cognitive skills.
Parents can provide opportunities for safe exploration, physical play and sensory experiences to support their child's developing brain.
Early brain development and motor skills are fundamentally linked. As children move and explore their environment, they build neural connections that support cognitive development. This process follows predictable patterns but is influenced by both biological factors and environmental experiences. Understanding this connection helps us create environments that support children's development across all domains.
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