Development of fundamental movement skills among four to six year-old preschool children in Flanders Throwing and cathing skills

Introduction

Pre-school children and their teachers are placed in the sportlights this year. This event is related to the fact that the academic year 2007-2008 has been declared the year of the pre-school child. The period of preschool attendace is considered the ideal time to develop fundamental movement skills. The purpose of this study is to chart the develpomental status of throwing and catching skills and to analyuse gender differences.

Method

Sample Data for this research project were collected in Flanders and the Brussels Head Capital District. 1208 pre-school children (654 boys, 554 girls) of the 2nd and 3rd year of Kindergarten and being between four and six years of age, were assessed on their fundamental movement skills. We received informed consent from the school teams, parents and children to participate in the study.
Measurement instruments The assessment of the children's fundamental movement skills was done with the Motoriktest für Vier bis Sechsjärige Kinder (MOT 4-6). This assessment tool measures fundamental movement skills development of four to six year old children and includes 18 test items. The children experience the test as PE like activities. Data was collected by 22 examiners.

Results

Graph 1: Evolution of the development of throwing and cathing skills in pre-school children by age and gender

Boys score significantly higher than girls on throwing as well as on catching skills. The skill level increases, as expected, by age.

Conclusion

The precision of throwing as well as of catching is for a large number of pre-school children still limited. Especially the girls between four and six years of age show a weak development of catch- and throw skills.