THE ROLE OF RHYTHMIC PATTERNS IN CHILDHOOD

Rhythmic motor patterns are presented as a normal phenomenon in the infant, appearing to serve the purpose of satisfying an in stinctual need and facilitating motor and ego growth and development. Clinically, in the course of the child's use of such motor patterns, secondary values are often found to become prominent, and the repetitive movements then seem to serve other needs in addition to their organizing and mobilizing effects. Such secondary uses take the form of expression of pleasure, expression and relief of tension and anxiety, and provision of a form of compensatory satisfaction. In childhood schizophrenia they seem to represent also a regressive phenomenon. Such secondary values and uses of the stereotyped motor activity may cause the persistence of such patterns past the infantile period.

Investigations into the nature and sources of the rhythmic movements reveal that auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, and visual stimuli are their important components and that the auditory component is probably the most significant one in the head banger. The rate of the rhythmic movements seems to have a definite relationship to one of the time beats in the body, with usually the heart or breathing rate acting as the pacemaker.

The neurophysiological basis and the uses of the rhythmic movement are considered. Observations are offered as to the handling and treatment of such patterns where they have acquired psychopathological or nuisance value. Speculations are offered as to the possible use of rhythmic motor activities in therapy.