MOUTHING AND GRASPING OF OBJECTS BY YOUNG INFANTS

Mouthing and grasping objects are two common behaviors observed in you ng infants, although little is known about the relations between these activities. Data from two previously published experiments on 4- to 8 -month-old infants (N = 133) are further analyzed to investigate if. ( a) variation in object size and shape influences whether objects are m outhed after being picked up, and (b) infants modify their grip config urations in order to mouth objects as opposed to performing other preh ensile actions. The results showed that larger objects increased the p ropensity of young infants to mouth objects; object size also contribu ted to differentiating the grip configuration according to the intent of the action. The findings suggest that infants as young as 4 months perceive that object properties afford different actions and different iate grip configurations to realize specific task goals.