Motor experiences shape cognitive development in infancy, with the prone position being one such crucial motor experience in the first 6 months of life. Although the motor benefits of the prone position are well‐documented, its influence on early cognitive abilities remains insufficiently explored. This study quantified the relationship between prone motor skills and motor‐based problem‐solving abilities in 48 full‐term and preterm infants aged 3–6 months. Prone skills were assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale's prone domain. The Assessment of Problem‐Solving in Play was utilized to measure motor‐based problem‐solving by observing how motor actions were used to solve toys. Advanced prone motor skills were correlated with an increase in sophisticated exploration skills and a concurrent decline in lower order exploration skills in all infants, with correlations being stronger in preterm infants. Notably, a 1‐point increase in prone skills was associated with a 1.3‐point increase in total motor‐based problem‐solving abilities in all infants. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for the contribution of prone play to cognitive development in infants, prompting considerations for assessment and intervention strategies. Further research is needed to ascertain if the delayed acquisition of prone motor skills is indicative of poor early problem‐solving abilities in preterm infants.

Therapies for children with cerebral palsy (CP) often fail to address essential components of early rehabilitation: intensity, child initiation, and an embodied approach. Sitting Together And Reaching To Play (START-Play) addresses these issues while incorporating intensive family involvement to maximize therapeutic dosage. While START-Play was developed and tested on children aged 7–16 months with motor delays, the theoretical construct can be applied to intervention in children of broader ages and skills levels. This study quantifies the impact of a broader START-Play intervention combined with Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) and phenol on the developmental trajectory of a 24 month-old child with bilateral spastic CP. In this AB +1 study, A consisted of multiple baseline assessments with the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 and the Assessment of Problem Solving in Play. The research participant demonstrated a stable baseline during A and changes in response to the combination of BoNT-A/phenol and 12 START-Play sessions during B, surpassing the minimal clinically important difference on the Gross Motor Function Measure-66. The follow-up data point (+1) was completed after a second round of BoNT-A/phenol injections. While the findings suggest the participant improved his gross motor skills with BoNT-A/phenol and START-Play, further research is needed to generalize these findings.

Purpose: To assess the concurrent validity of 2 wearable sensors, GENEActiv (GA) and MonBaby (MB), for tracking tummy time in full-term and preterm infants at home. Methods: Nineteen full-term infants and 13 infants born preterm, aged 3 to 6 months, wore GA and MB sensors during caregivervideo-recorded active play at home over 3 days. Prone (tummy time) durations detected by each sensor were compared to video for validation. Results: Both GA and MB sensors demonstrated excellent (κ = 0.86) and substantial (κ = 0.78) second-by-second agreement with video, respectively, for tracking tummy time. For cumulative tummy time, the GA showed higher accuracy with video (GA =60 minutes, video =58 minutes, difference =2 minutes) compared to MB (MB =43 minutes, video =47 minutes, difference =4 minutes). No differences in accuracy were found between the 2 sensors. Conclusion: Wearable sensors can accurately track tummy time at home and can support adherence to movement guidelines in infants. Establishing caregiver feasibility is crucial for broader use.

Objective: Evaluate longitudinal changes in brain microstructure and volumes in very preterm infants during the first year of life with and without intervention. Design: Descriptive pilot study. Methods: Five preterm infants in a three-arm clinical trial, one SPEEDI Early, two SPEEDI Late, and two usual care. Brain structural and diffusion MRI’s were acquired within 72 hours after neonatal intensive care unit discharge (n = 5), three months post-baseline (n = 5), and six months post-baseline (n = 3). Fractional anisotropy (FA), Mean diffusivity (MD), and volume metrics were computed for five brain regions. Results: More than 60% of eligible participants completed 100% of the scheduled MRIs. FA and volume increased from baseline to six months across all brain regions. Rate of white matter volume change from baseline to six months was highest in SPEEDI Early. Conclusions: Non-sedated longitudinal MRI is feasible in very preterm infants and appears to demonstrate longitudinal changes in brain structure and connectivity.