Movement–attention coupling in infancy and attention problems in childhood

Abstract

Adaptive behavior requires the integration of body movement and attention. Therefore, individual differences in integration of movement and attention during infancy may have significance for development. We contacted families whose 8-year-old children (n=26; 16 females, 10 males; mean age 8 y 2 mo, SD 8 mo) participated in a previous study of movement-attention coupling at 1 or 3 months of age, to assess parent-reported attention or hyperactivity problems using the Child Behavior Checklist and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn) criteria. Parent-reported attention problems at 8 years of age were associated with less suppression of body movement at onset of looking, and greater rebound of body movement following its initial suppression at 3 months, but not at 1 month. Parent-reported hyperactivity was not related to any of the infant movement-attention measures. Results suggests that the dynamic integration of movement and attention early in life may have functional significance for the development of attention problems in childhood.