Fysioterapeuten (Jan 2012)
Motor development and cultural influence: Parents expectations to infants in Norway and Uganda
Abstract
Aim: This study looks at parents expectations for childrens motor development, and compares expectations of parents in Norway and Uganda. It was recorded if parents practise motor skills, which skills they practise, and where they seek information about childrens motor development. Design and method: Parents with children in the age of 0-2 years was asked to fill in a questionnaire with the expected age (in months) when children achieve the motor skills, hold head steady, sit without support, crawl, stand, and walk independently, and the social skills start toilet-training, and stop breastfeeding. They were asked if they practice any of these skills, and where they seek information about childrens` motor development. Material: 35 Norwegian and 36 Ugandan parents answered the questionnaire. Result: The gross motor skills sitting, crawling and standing, and the social skills toilet training and breast-feeding had significant differences. Conclusion: It is important to be aware of possible differences in parents expectations when working with children as physiotherapists.
