Concludes that guided instruction in psychomotor skills at the nursery school level leads to significant improvements in motor patterns for boys and girls. (RB)

Sixty children, ages 2-4, observed videotaped, same-sex models perform sequences of skills requiring different levels of motor development. When asked to imitate one act from each sequence, children tended to imitate skills at their own developmental level rather than skills above or below their current level of competence. (Author/SJL)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure of motor proficiency in a sample of 765 children between the ages of 4 1/2 to 14 1/2 years. The study was conducted as one aspect of the standardization of a motor proficiency scale, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. (Author/SJL)

A pair of autistic monozygotic twins (3 1/2 years old) were assessed on relevant portions of the Geddes Psychomotor Inventory. (Author)

This study tested the extension of Schmidt's schema theory to the relationship between fine and gross motor skills. Fifty-two preschoolers were tested on 10 isomorphically related pairs of fine and gross motor tasks. When age was partialled out, results showed significant covariation among 6 of the 10 task pairs. (Author/SJL)

Self-concept and selected movement skills of third-grade children were examined following eight-week programs of physical education. While data did not clearly show effects of these programs on self-concept or movement, some findings provide support for statements from the literature. (Author)

Sixth graders performed a variety of physical activities over a three-week period. They then completed a program evaluator card for which name identification was optional. No relation was found between self-evaluation of motor abilities and choosing to sign the program. Motor abilities and self-concept were not related. (Author/RD)

Sixty six-to eight-year-olds with below-average scores on three balance tests received active, passive or no vestibular stimulation over a five-week period. Balance scores improved for all groups on one or more tests. Improvement could not be related to vestibular stimulation. (Author/RD)

Described is the development and validation of the Charlop-Atwell Scale of Motor Coordination, which is designed to measure some aspects of the gross motor coordination of children between the ages of 4 and 6 years. The test itself and the scoring ranges for boys and girls are appended. (Author/SJL)

Directional preference for horizontal hand movements was investigated in 49 right- and 49 left-handed four-year-olds using three drawing tests. Directionality for more complex perceptual-motor tasks has a different basis than directionality for simple tasks; such directionality is established at a later age but only for the right hand. (Author/CM)

Effects of a program of motor therapy on the motor ability levels of eight multisensory handicapped children were examined. Participation improved performance for all subjects. The gain scores from pretest to posttest indicated that children with multisensory disabilities may benefit from such a program. (Author)

Handicapped and nonhandicapped students were administered the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency to determine regular or specially designed physical education placement. Two of the three functions on the test were significant, indicating usefulness in placement. Fewer than half the test items for each function contributed discriminatory…