If we analyze the term "psychomotor" (or "psychomotor") we observe that "psycho" refers to psychic or mental activity and "motor" or "motor" refers to movement. With "psychomotor development" we mean evolution in movements of babies and children as they grow up.
Psychomotor development is an evolutionary aspect of the human being, as it is the progressive acquisition of skills, knowledge and experiences in the child, being the external manifestation of the maturation of the central nervous system.
There are neurological processes that are physiologically responsible for the progress observed in the child. The maturation of the nervous system has a pre-established order and therefore the development has a clear and predictable sequence, although it is not exact in every baby and child.
In addition, as we frequently point out, this development is not only produced by the mere fact of growing, but the environment also influences this process.
What does the psychomotor development of babies and children depend on?
In short, psychomotor development will depend on:
The genetic endowment of the individual.
Maturation level
The opportunity for training or learning in a timely manner that will be facilitated by the appropriate environment, at which point we parents have much to say.
exist factors that favor optimal development, as a solid mother-child bond, timely sensory stimulation and good nutrition.
On the opposite side, we can talk about others risk factor's that can hinder such development:
- Biological factors (neonatal hypoxia, prematurity, hyperbilirubinemia, convulsive syndromes ...).
- Environmental factors (absence of a suitable mother-child bond, hypo-stimulating environment).
The psychomotor development is evaluated in the medical controls by the possibility of detecting any alteration and in its case being able to determine the appropriate measures to follow.
Parents should also be attentive to psychomotor development of babies and children, and if in doubt or suspicion of delay, consult the pediatrician.
