AHEMD Project Affordances in the home environment for motor development

Rationale

Increasing bodies of evidence underscore two prominent assumptions associated with this project development.

·     Environmental stimulation plays a critical role in optimal human development during the early stages of life and an optimal level (of development) occurs with strong contextual support" (Diamond & Hopson, 1998; Fischer & Rose, 1998).

·      It is well accepted among developmentalists that motor-, perceptual-, and cognitive development are fundamentally interrelated (e.g., Bertenthal & Campos, 1990; Bradley et al., 1989; Diamond, 2000; Thelen & Smith, 1994), suggesting that status of motor development it s an important factor in overall child well-being.

 Questionnaires have been proved to be feasible instruments for assessing individual and/or large groups of home environments (e.g. HOME Inventory by Bradley & Caldwell, 1984). However, minimal information has been available in relation to environmental conditions in the home and its effect on motor development. Researchers in the motor development field strongly emphasize the need for such a valid tool (Abbott et al, 2000).

In response to this demand the AHEMD was developed for use in research, clinical, and educational settings.

The nature and characteristics of this tool also make it valuable as a best-practice instrument for educators and parents concerned with their offspring’s well being.