Understanding Motor Development

Intended for medical students of neurology and neuroanatomy, this book provides a firm grounding in human motor development, describing how motor skills adapt and change from birth through to adulthood. Divided into six sections, the first provides an overview of the topic and introduces the authors' theoretical model. Later sections correspond to the major stages of the human life span - infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The authors explain the phases of development by comparing their own "hourglass life span model" with other models of human development, especially those of Piaget and Erickson. The final section synthesizes the information in the text and shows students how to apply the material in their careers. The book discusses the critical factors within the individual and the environment that influence human development. It features many learning aids, such as chapter outlines, highlighted key terms and critical readings.