What is a likely effect of gross motor movement difficulty on an infant's experience?

What is a likely effect of gross motor movement difficulty on an infant's experience?

• A. Movement may become a negative experience
• B. Movement becomes effortless
• C. Motivation and confidence improve
• D. Motor exploration accelerates

Answer: (A)

When gross motor movement is difficult for an infant, movement often becomes a negative experience. Frustration from not being able to move as wished, fatigue from the extra effort, and potential discomfort can make attempts at movement feel aversive rather than enjoyable. This can lead the infant to withdraw from or avoid new movement opportunities, limiting exploration and practice of motor skills. In conditions like spina bifida with myelomeningocele, weakness or paralysis below the affected spinal level increases the effort and challenge of movement, making it more likely that movement is experienced as unrewarding or uncomfortable. If movement were effortless, motivation, confidence, and exploration would more likely be maintained or enhanced, which is not the typical pattern when movement is difficult.

When gross motor movement is difficult for an infant, movement often becomes a negative experience. Frustration from not being able to move as wished, fatigue from the extra effort, and potential discomfort can make attempts at movement feel aversive rather than enjoyable. This can lead the infant to withdraw from or avoid new movement opportunities, limiting exploration and practice of motor skills. In conditions like spina bifida with myelomeningocele, weakness or paralysis below the affected spinal level increases the effort and challenge of movement, making it more likely that movement is experienced as unrewarding or uncomfortable. If movement were effortless, motivation, confidence, and exploration would more likely be maintained or enhanced, which is not the typical pattern when movement is difficult.