Perceptual-motor functioning is a cyclic process involving: (1) organizing incoming sensory stimuli with past or stored perceptual information; (2) making motor (internal) decisions based on the combination of sensory (present) and perceptual (past) information; (3) executing the actual movement (observable act) itself; and (4) evaluating the act or movement performance, which in turn feeds back information (reafference) into the sensory-perceptual aspects of the process, thus beginning the cycle over again. This paper discusses perceptual aspects of motor performance and relevant visual factors during infancy and childhood that may influence perceptual-motor functioning. The infant's perceptual development, in the areas of: fixation; tracking; color discrimination and preference; form, shape, and pattern discrimination; visual acuity; and depth perception, is described. Visual acuity, figure-ground perception, depth perception, visual-motor coordination, and perception of movement skills and abilities of children are also discussed, as well as the role movement has as a facilitator of perceptual development. It is concluded that incomplete visual development may make performance requirements of many youth physical activities beyond the child's present level of perceptual sophistication. Four recommendations are made for planning motor development activities that suit the individual child's level of perceptual development. (CJ)