The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of reaching in the period of three to five months of age and if the object presentation position has an influence on it. Thirteen typically developing infants were assessed at three, four, and five months of age. The frequency of reaching was evaluated with the infants in the supine position, with the object presented at midline, right, and left axillary lines. The procedure was shot and further analyzed to determine all reaching numbers at the presentation positions. For analysis, the Friedman and Wilcoxon's tests were used, considering a 5% significance level. The mean reaching frequencies increased at the fifth month, with a statistically significant difference being found between the third and fifth (p=0.011) and between the fourth and fifth months (p=0.008). The amount of reaching at midline also significantly increased between the third and the fifth (p=0.011), the fourth and the fifth months (p=0,025), and a trend towards differentiation was identified between the third and fourth months (p=0,058). At three months, reaching frequency showed a trend towards differentiation (p=0.066) between the axillary line (right or left) and at midline. No significant differences between the positions were identified at the fourth and fifth months. In conclusion, the frequency of reaching increases significantly from three to five months, and the object presentation position seems to influence the initial stage of acquisition of this skill.
child development; infant; psychomotor performance
