ABSTRACT
The speed of development of motor progress is influenced by many factors and, while most children follow a fairly similar pattern, there is a wide variability in the age at which various skills may be achieved. Infants born very prematurely and nursed mainly on their backs may show early progress with supported standing, but be delayed in sitting unsupported. Lack of opportunities for infants to move freely, either because of being left in the cot, lack of stimulation or prolonged use of baby walkers, may delay developmental progress. Infants with severe visual impairment may also show a delay in acquiring locomotor skills. Children with excessively low muscle tone – floppiness (hypotonia) – or with high muscle tone – stiffness (hypertonia) – also show differences in the pattern and age of achievement of these skills.
