ERIC Number: EJ922727
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
The Development of Fundamental Motor Skills of Four- to Five-Year-Old Preschool Children and the Effects of a Preschool Physical Education Curriculum
Iivonen, S.; Saakslahti, A.; Nissinen, K.
Early Child Development and Care, v181 n3 p335-343 2011
Altogether 38 girls and 46 boys aged four to five years were studied to analyse the linear and non-linear development of fundamental motor skills. The children were grouped into one experimental and one control group to study the effects of an eight-month preschool physical education curriculum. In the course of one year, the balance skills of the girls, the running speed of the boys and the standing broad-jump and manipulative skills of both genders progressed linearly according to the children's age. Two weekly 45-minute physical education lessons instructed by preschool teachers promoted the linear development of the girls' standing broad-jump and non-linear development of the boys' running speed during spring, compared to the group that did not follow a specific structured programme. We encourage educators to organise skill-specific practise and to ensure that the choice of tasks, equipment and environment interact to promote motor development. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Control Groups, Physical Education, Physical Activities, Preschool Children, Preschool Teachers, Motor Development, Experimental Groups, Preschool Curriculum, Preschool Evaluation, Foreign Countries, Predictor Variables, Gender Differences, Basic Skills, Measurement Techniques
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A