In Part II of this study, we examined the effect of two 9-week instructional climates (low-autonomy [LA] and mastery motivational climate [MMC]) on perceived physical competence (PPC) in preschoolers (N = 117). Participants were randomly assigned to an LA, MMC, or comparison group. PPC was assessed by a pretest, posttest, and retention test with…

Background: Following the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the NSW Premier, Mr Bob Carr, launched a school-based initiative in NSW government primary schools called the "Gold Medal Fitness Program" to encourage children to be fitter and more active. The Program was introduced into schools through a model of professional development, "Quality…

Describes the effect of crack on the user and on the pregnant user's offspring. Children of the first crack addicts are now in school and exhibit an array of behavioral and cognitive difficulties. Early intervention in a supportive environment has succeeded in preparing some of these children for the classroom. (DM)

Background: Many children and adolescents are physically inactive and become even less active as they age. USA high school students' rates of attendance in physical education (PE) classes sharply decline by grade with 73% of ninth graders attending PE, while only 31% of seniors attend. Non-Caucasian youth report the lowest levels of physical…

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate procedures to teach four moderately and severely mentally retarded students the standing long jump and the 50-yard dash, using task analysis and a training package of prompts and response consequences. Results showed acquisition and maintenance of the two athletic skills. (Author/CL)

Ten mildly handicapped preschool children were taught to use problem-solving strategies to complete fine motor tasks. Qualitative and quantitative data indicated that the intervention had a positive impact on the task persistence of some children and that some children became more systematic in their approach to solving tasks. (Author/JDD)

The effectiveness of three basic approaches to sport skills analysis instruction were examined. Ninety-two physical education majors were allocated to four groups and randomly assigned to one of four instructional frameworks: Observational Model (OM), Common Errors (CE), Correct Only (CO), and Control (C). It was hypothesized that the OM group…

Explores the comparative effectiveness of verbal instruction and modeling instruction in instrumental music classrooms. Hypothesizes that modeling is more effective than verbal instruction. Concludes that modeling strategies and devices such as melodic echoes and rhythmic movement to music can lead to increased ear-to-hand skills and kinesthetic…

The study evaluated positional concepts and balance performance in 67 blind/visually impaired children, age 6-13, to determine the most important conditioning factors. The study also evaluated the effects of 2 pedagogical situations: 1 with more cognitive activity and less motor activity, and the other with more motor activity and less cognitive…

Reports on a study of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students to identify and conceptualize meter in music. Finds that ability to perform these tasks improves with maturity and with use of hand gestures as well as verbal response. Concludes that it is important to match curriculum with the developmental levels of students. (CFR)

Investigates how different practice techniques (physical, mental, and alternating physical/mental) and aural knowledge of results improve the piano performance of 40 graduate and undergraduate music students. Reveals all three practice modes, especially physical practice, improved performance, whereas aural knowledge of results had little effect.…

Fifty-six Toronto (Ontario, Canada) seventh-grade and eighth-grade learning-disabled students whose handwriting was very difficult to read were randomly assigned to either an experimental or comparison group. Experimental group students were loaned a portable computer to use freely at school and at home during the course of the experiment.…

A survey investigated the application of constructs related to acquisition of psychomotor skills in the preclinical dental curriculum in 220 departments of operative dentistry, fixed and removable prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics. Results indicate insufficient opportunities for students to define desired outcomes and…