Gross and Fine Motor Differences Between Cameroonian and German Children Aged 3 to 40 Months

Abstract

Based on longitudinal data, this study compared the gross and fine motor development of Cameroonian Nso children and German middle-class children with assessments at 3, 6, 9, and 40 months. A total of 345 infants from Cameroon (n = 73) and Germany (n = 272) were recruited for this study. Complete longitudinal gross and fine motor assessments based on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III were available for subsamples of the originally recruited children. As the results show, the predictability of the 40-months assessments from the previous assessments at 3, 6, and 9 months was low. The early gross motor differences between the Cameroonian and the German children decreased across age. Although the differences had disappeared at 40 months at the Bayley scale level, differences at the item level were still substantial. In contrast to gross motor development, the cultural differences regarding fine motor development increased from 3 to 40 months. This increase was not only shown at the scale level but also reflected at the item level. The developmental pattern is discussed with regard to possible consequences for using developmental tests in different cultural contexts.

Cross‐cultural validity of standardized motor development screening and assessment tools: a systematic review

“…[47][48][49][50] The test item with the greatest difference was 'sitting without support', which was passed by 94.5% of Cameroonian infants but only by 6.8% of the German children at 3 months. [47][48][49][50] The test item with the greatest difference was 'sitting without support', which was passed by 94.5% of Cameroonian infants but only by 6.8% of the German children at 3 months.…”

“…The applicability and/or validity of the BSITD-3 were studied in African, [46][47][48][49][50] Asian, 51,52 Australian, 53,54 and European infants. 34,[47][48][49][50]55,56 A total of 3467 infants, age range 14 days to 42 months, participated in the eight studies.…”

“…Delayed onset of unsupported standing and walking in Asian cultures was attributed to parents' concerns regarding falls associated with independent ambulation. 47,49 Postural control is relevant to sub-Saharan environments because children need to develop the ability to carry weight on their heads. 63 In contrast, gross motor advancement observed in African infants in Cameroon during their first 6 months of life has been attributed to parents' emphasis on postural control training.…”

“…32,51 In some cultures, caregivers deliberately restrict children's mobility because they fear independent mobility increases the likelihood young infants will encounter danger. 47 Similarly, studies have found that various handling practices intended to encourage sitting and walking may foster advancements in motor development, and these practices are particularly common in children from India and children of African descent in the Caribbean and USA. 47,49 Postural control is relevant to sub-Saharan environments because children need to develop the ability to carry weight on their heads.…”

Bayley‐III: Cultural differences and language scale validity in a Danish sample

“…For instance, Lohaus, Lamm, Keller et al . () found that German children tended to get a higher score than Cameroonian children on Bayley‐III items involving stairs, manipulation of objects and use of tools such as scissors or pens, most likely because these objects were not part of the natural environment of Cameroonian children.…”