The progression of physical growth and motor skills follows a generally stable pattern of development.

Physical Growth and Motor Skills

• Infants learn to coordinate the movements of their bodies as they are constantly changing; numerous factors influence the rate of motor development.
  
  
• Stability of motor development is fostered by the cephalocaudal and proximodistal principles.
  

Brain Growth and Motor Development

• Myelinization and expanding dendrite connections account for brain growth after birth.
  
  
• Motor development is influenced by neurons moving into the cerebral cortex and surrounding area of the brain.
  

Reflexes

• Reflexes are unlearned, involuntary responses to different stimuli; some are present at birth, some appear several weeks or months later.
  
  
• Reflexes change and/or disappear as brain growth occurs.
  

Large Motor Skills and Locomotion

• Large, gross motor skills progress as an infant practices generalized movement.
  
  
• Milestones for large motor development exist but should be used with caution; each child is unique and growth rates may vary.
  

Small Motor Skills and Manipulation

• Small, fine motor skills related to hand and finger movements advance rapidly during the first 18 months.
  
  
• Self-help tasks are some of the best activities to foster small motor skills.
  

Fostering Motor Development

• Encourage infants and toddlers to practice what they know how to do; avoid "teaching" motor skills.
  
  
• Everyday experiences and interactions are the best ways to foster brain growth and neural connections, and thus impact motor development.
  

Children with Special Needs: Developmental Delays

• Early intervention concerning a developmental delay is based on an understanding of healthy child development.
  
  
• Providing basic play experiences and more practice time with a nurturing adult can be the most helpful way to support children with motor delays.