Recension av: Cheryl A. Coker, Motor Learning & Control for Practitioners, 304 pp, pb., ill. Scottsdale, AZ: Holcomb Hathaway 2009, ISBN 978-1-890871-95-6

Motor learning and control is a matter of communication between the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, i.e. that the brain sends out signals to the body in order to achieve coordinated movements and similar motor responses. Motor development is thus about both cognitive and physical development. Motor training is of paramount importance in the young child's development, particularly in cases where the motor development doesn’t come as easy as in most cases. There are gross motor and fine motor skills, where the former deals with larger body movements and the latter of for example dexterity. In Sweden, research on motor skills is mainly concerned with the effects of determined motor training during the first years of school, showing not only improved motor skills as a result, but also significant positive effects in other school subjects, such as mathematics and Swedish. The leading Swedish researcher in this area is Ingegerd Ericsson, and it seemed natural to ask her to review the second edition by Cheryl A. Coker’s Motor Learning & Control for Practitioners (Holcomb Hathaway). In an informed and critical review Dr. Ericsson points to certain problems in the book, but she insists on its value as a textbook in that it has a good pedagogical tone and a balanced presentation of theory, research, and practical implications.