Home Environment Opportunities Impact Gross Motor Skills in Infants With Low Biological Risk: A Cross-Sectional and Comparative Study Before and After 6 Months of Age

Abstract

Background

Home environment opportunities, such as adequate physical space, a variety of stimuli, and toys, can facilitate motor skill development. Thus, the environment should be adapted to maximize action possibilities for infants, especially those with biological risk. However, the presence and impact of these opportunities in infants with biological risk at different developmental stages is limited. This study aimed to compare the availability of home environment opportunities and determine their impact on motor skills in infants with low biological risk at different stages.

Methods

This cross-sectional remote study included 54 infants: Group 1:2–6 months, M = 3.95; SD = 23 days and Group 2: 6–11 months, M = 7.89; SD = 37 days. Motor skills and home environment opportunities were assessed remotely using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale, respectively. Intergroup comparison tests and intragroup multiple linear regression analyses were conducted, considering p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Group 2 had more toys than Group 1. In the regression analysis, Group 2 showed significant associations between the variety of stimulation (p = 0.007) and gross motor toys (p = 0.015) and gross motor skills.

Conclusion

Identifying intergroup differences and associations between environmental factors and gross motor skills underscores the need for family-oriented practices that emphasize early environmental enrichment.

Keywords

infant risk factors gross motor skills home environment AHEMD-IS affordances

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