A new perspective on the development of motor variability during middle childhood

Abstract

However you look at it, children’s movements are variable. Variability is an inherent characteristic of motor development. This thesis examines motor variability in middle childhood development (5-10 years of age) in typically developing children as well as in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), a movement disorder that is characterized by high levels of variability. Doing so, this thesis puts the spotlight on the developmental period of middle childhood, therewith rejuvenating the ‘forgotten years’ of development. Until now, variability in motor activities in this period has been viewed as something negative, reflecting error of execution and therefore hindering performance of everyday life activities. The results of this thesis indicate that variability in middle childhood may play a different role than previously assumed. It is proposed that variability is a form of exploration to find suitable solutions to perform a particular task. That is, this thesis changes the connotation of variability in middle childhood from negative to positive. This is an exciting finding for research concerning DCD, because broadening the concept of motor variability in DCD may offer new understanding about possible underlying coordination mechanisms of this disorder. This thesis paves the way for a new perspective on variability in middle childhood in typically as well as in atypical developing children