There are four main areas of scientific interest:

(a) Models and methods for studying motor function, and the related psychological and neurobiological aspects:
1. Longitudinal description of motor development from the prenatal stage to early childhood, with particular attention to the development of gestures and manipulation actions in children with typical and atypical development;
2. Validity and reliability of assessment and observation tools for development from 0 to 25 years, in both typical and atypical populations. Within clinical populations, special interest is given to children diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and those at risk due to prematurity and low birth weight.

(b) Adaptation of diagnostic tools:
- Adaptation of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-3 (MABC-3) based on international guidelines for the identification of motor difficulties and for its usefulness in diagnostic practice and intervention;
- Adaptation of the DASH-2 test to identify graphomotor writing difficulties.

(c) Analysis of parental characteristics and relational styles as predictors of the child’s emotional-affective and psychomotor development.
Impact of psychomotor development difficulties in children on parental experience, with a focus on parents’ perception of their child's motor difficulties and their own emotional state and parenting role.

(d) The value of motor experiences and perceived motor competence in adolescence and young adulthood in relation to psychological well-being.

The proposed thesis projects are closely related to the areas of scientific interest.