Effects of the ability to locomote on infants' social and exploratory behaviors: An experimental study

In Exp I, 20 normal 6.5-10 mo old infants who were unable to locomote independently were observed for 10 min in an infant "walker" and for 10 min out of the walker. Exp II compared effects of walker-assisted locomotion with effects of independent locomotion in 16 7-20 mo olds who were able to creep or crawl. Age parameters were closely similar to those of the 1st sample. Results indicate that the 2 modes of locomotion, walker-assisted or independent, afforded similar experiences within a standard environment, but experiences quite different from those of the nonlocomoting infant. Some behaviors actually emerged as a function of the ability to locomote; others changed in frequency or were extended to new features of the environment. In addition, all classes of behaviors measured were known from other studies to affect adults' behavior toward infants. Therefore, changes in these behaviors should lead to changes in infants' social experiences. The systematic reorganization of experiences, both social and nonsocial, as a result of locomotion has implications for social, perceptual, cognitive, and language development. (30 ref)