Developmental Relationships between Alternating Bimanual Hand Grasping and Self-recognition in Early Childhood: On the Significance of the Model Presentation and Gender Differences

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the developmental relationships between alternating bimanual hand grasping and self-recognition in early childhood. Sixty-five young children participated in hand skill tasks of alternately grasping a rubber bulb with each hand, which consisted of three conditions: 1-second or 2-seconds switching with model and no model. They were also required to draw a self-portrait to assess the developmental features of their self-recognition. The results showed that the level of alternately grasping without model presentation was significantly related to self-portrait score. These suggested that development of self-recognition was related to the alternating bimanual hand regulation in their own rhythm.