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Hand‐mouth coordination in the new‐born baby
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1988
Year
NeonatologyMotor SkillMotor DevelopmentLanguage DevelopmentHand‐mouth CoordinationInfant PerceptionMotor ControlSlow MotionIntersensory PerceptionSocial SciencesDevelopmental Coordination DisorderCognitive DevelopmentMotor NeuroscienceMotor BehaviorGesture ProcessingHealth SciencesCognitive ScienceBehavioral SciencesSpontaneous Motor ActivityEarly Childhood DevelopmentVisuomotor LearningEmbodied CognitionSensorimotor IntegrationNew‐born BabiesInfant CognitionSocial CognitionSensorimotor DevelopmentChild DevelopmentInteraction DynamicsInfant DevelopmentSensorimotor TransformationPediatricsHuman MovementFine Motor Control
The spontaneous motor activity of 15 new‐born babies was filmed and their arm and hand movements analysed in slow motion to yield detailed measurements of the interrelation between hand, head and mouth postures. These analyses revealed that new‐borns can move the hand to the mouth either directly or indirectly via the perioral region of the face. The mouth is open in ‘anticipation’ of arrival of the hand and the movement does not require visual guidance. This little‐known coordination may have important implications for theories of intersensorimotor relations and for the origins of intentionality.