Parents’ daily practices can affect infant motor development and reflect specific culturally-influenced beliefs. We examined fathers’ beliefs about their role in shaping infant motor development and related advice-seeking behaviors in the United States (US), the Netherlands (NL), and Israel (IL). Beliefs of 89 US, 50 NL, and 85 IL fathers of 1.1- to 8.9-month-old infants were assessed using closed- and open-ended survey questions. Results revealed three cultural models: US fathers focused on stimulation and encouraging skill development, Dutch fathers supported general stimulation (i.e., not necessarily motor), and Israeli fathers discussed stimulation through specific motor activities, emphasizing following their child’s development according to age norms and taking action when necessary. US fathers tended to turn to experts when they had questions about motor development, while Israeli fathers generally sought expert advice if they were concerned about delays. US and Israeli fathers’ emphasis on the importance and stimulation of motor development was associated with infant preferences for supported standing. Israeli fathers’ emphasis on infants meeting milestones in the “correct” order was associated with infants’ preference for prone position. Thus, the different cultural models differentially impact fathers’ beliefs about motor development and related advice-seeking behaviors and potentially shape infants’ motor development outcomes.
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