Acquisition and refinement of independent sitting: a cross-sectional study

Resumen

The normal motor development of a child is dependent on the maturation of the central nervous system, and is influenced by genetics and the environment in which the child lives. It is observed, however, that motor development follows a similar sequence in all children, in relation to the development of motor control. The aim of this study was to determine the motor skills and patterns used by healthy children to reach sitting position. The sample consisted of 81 children aged 6 to 12 months who attended public and private nurseries in the Vale do Itajaí region – Santa Catarina. The evaluation was carried out through three consecutive observations of the way in which the child reached sitting position from supine, either voluntarily or in response to researcher stimuli. The data collected were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively through the method of frequency distribution in cross tabs. The major findings of this study were that mastery of sitting position begins at around seven months and requires passing through prone position, supported by the elbows on the ground, progressing to a crawling position, which is the most often adopted position in the various age strata. Direct progression from supine to sitting position requires greater balance between flexor and extensor muscles and represents a milestone in the development of this motor activity, being observed in children above ten months in this study. A trend in motor behavior in the progress of each age strata was also observed, as well as differences among children of the same age probably due to genetics and to the environment.