According to motor development theories, what primarily influences infant motor development?

The quality of models of new motor skills is crucial in influencing infant motor development. Infants learn by observing and imitating the actions of others, particularly those of caregivers and peers. When high-quality demonstrations of motor skills are provided, infants are able to form mental representations of these skills, which aids in their ability to practice and refine those movements.

By observing skilled movements, infants can develop the coordination and strength necessary for their own motor achievements, such as crawling, walking, and grasping objects. This observational learning process is central to many motor development theories, emphasizing the importance of role models in facilitating the acquisition of motor skills.

In contrast, while the age at which an infant starts crawling, the amount of time spent in play, and encouragement from caregivers can contribute to overall development, they do not carry the same foundational influence that models of new motor skills have. These factors may impact the rate or enjoyment of motor development, but they do not fundamentally shape the understanding and execution of motor skills in the same way that quality modeling does.