Biomaterial Database

Directional preferences in the rotational play behaviors of young children. 1997

H D Day, and K C Day

Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Texas Woman's University, Denton 76204-5470, USA. F_DAY@twu.edu

In a day-care setting, 33 girls and 34 boys, ranging in age from 36 to 73 months, responded to 30 tasks to obtain conventional measures of laterality and to determine their directional preferences on behaviors requiring whole body movement in a circle (circling) or pivoting about the body's vertical axis. Significant counterclockwise preferences were found for both kinds of turning behaviors, and there were no gender differences in these preferences. Increasing age was weakly associated with stronger right-handedness and counterclockwise preference on the circling tasks. These results are consistent with those of other studies and suggest that humans exhibit a small left-turning population preference in rotational movements.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007839	Functional Laterality	Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot.	Ambidexterity,Behavioral Laterality,Handedness,Laterality of Motor Control,Mirror Writing,Laterality, Behavioral,Laterality, Functional,Mirror Writings,Motor Control Laterality,Writing, Mirror,Writings, Mirror
D008297	Male		Males
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D010988	Play and Playthings	Spontaneous or voluntary recreational activities pursued for enjoyment and accessories or equipment used in the activities; includes games, toys, etc.	Puppets,Toys,Play,Playthings,Plays,Plaything,Playthings and Play,Puppet,Toy
D002652	Child Behavior	Any observable response or action of a child from 24 months through 12 years of age. For neonates or children younger than 24 months, INFANT BEHAVIOR is available.	Behavior, Child
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man