Option 1: Yes, children’s motor development strongly interacts with and affects their cognitive and perceptual development, as evidenced by a substantial body of scientific, peer-reviewed research.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

• Motor skills as building blocks for cognition: Early motor experiences, particularly in infancy and toddlerhood, lay the foundation for cognitive development. Through movement and exploration, children gather information about their environment, their bodies, and how physical interactions work. This sensory input stimulates neural connections in the brain, promoting cognitive functions like problem-solving, spatial reasoning, memory, and planning.
• Enhanced learning through movement: Engaging in physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which can improve cognitive function and learning capacity. Studies have shown that children who participate in regular physical activity tend to perform better on tests of attention, memory, and executive function (skills that enable planning, decision-making, and self-control).
• Motor development and perceptual skills: The development of motor skills is closely linked with the development of perceptual skills. As children refine their movements, their ability to perceive and interpret sensory information also improves. This includes visual-spatial perception, which is crucial for tasks like reading, writing, and navigating the environment.

Here are some additional details on the research supporting this interaction:

• Brain imaging studies have shown that physical activity increases the volume of gray matter in the brain, which is associated with improved cognitive function.
• Studies of children with motor delays have found that they may also experience difficulties with cognitive skills.
• Interventions that focus on improving motor skills have been shown to have a positive impact on cognitive development.

Overall, the relationship between motor development and cognitive development is a two-way street. Motor skills provide a foundation for cognitive development, and cognitive skills help children refine and develop their motor skills.

If you’d like to explore Option 2 on language learning, I can provide a comprehensive response on that topic as well.