A model for predicting organized youth sport participation readiness has four predictive components: sport-related fundamental motor skill development; sport-specific knowledge; motivation; and socialization. Physical maturation is also important. The model emphasizes the importance of preparing children for successful participation through…

The ability to diagnose motor skills is important for physical educators. The paper discusses processes critical in motor skill diagnosis, proposing an operational model of motor skill development diagnosis for teacher educators and practitioners. The model provides a foundation upon which to build instructional strategies for developing…

This special training section includes four articles on the importance of movement and action to children's development. The articles are "From Cartwheels to Caterpillars: Children's Need to Move Indoors and Out"; "Kids Gotta Move: Adapting Movement Experiences for Children with Differing Abilities"; "Roughhousing as a…

This paper describes two practical assessment procedures that enable teachers to use time more efficiently in physical education class. One approach is for teachers who want to use validated or invalidated skills tests, and the other approach takes advantage of instructional progression steps. (SM)

This article presents a model to guide activity-focused physical therapy and occupational therapy interventions for children with neurological conditions. Activity-focused interventions involve structured practice and repetition of functional actions and are directed toward the learning of motor tasks that will increase independence and…

Play is a central facilitating element of early development. As a child plays, he or she practices spontaneously cognitive, emotional, and motor abilities. This research project, part of a larger project on early intervention with young disabled children, investigated the play of children with a motor handicap. The sample consisted of 61 disabled…

The movement-exploration activities described in this book are designed to appeal to primary-level children's natural instinct toward imaginative play and discovery and offer opportunities to develop physical skills in a familiar environment. The discovery of the physical self involves body-part and body-surface identification, isolated movements…

Written for parents to use in the home environment, this illustrated handbook describes the Maxi-Move program, an intensive one-year program of exercise for children of one to eight years of age, who have cerebral palsy. The program does not use physical therapy, patterning, or specific movement goals, but focuses on having fun, creating…

Eight papers present information about children's motor development and its application for program design. Jerry R. Thomas, Kathi T. Thomas, and Jere D. Gallagher discuss "Children's Processing of Information in Physical Activity and Sport." In "Toward Inclusion," G. S. Don Morris considers characteristics of children and of motor tasks with…

Growth concepts as they relate to motor development in children are discussed. The focus of this monograph is on structuring situations to help children develop physical skills. The first chapter deals with individual growth patterns, genetic and environmental influences on human growth, and the development of physical efficiency. Chapter two…

The ways in which a physical education program for elementary school children of all ability levels may be developed are examined. Central to this subject is knowledgeable and systematic observation of each child's physical movements on the part of the teacher. The physical educator must develop skills of the mechanics of human movement to…

In this teaching guide, movement education is presented as a means for developing the inherent ties between mind and body and for increasing ties between the two. While it is designed for elementary and secondary physical education teachers, it may be used as a text at the college level. Examples of specific lessons, many of which require no…

This paper reviews recent literature in the field of fine motor control and training, its theory, practice, and evaluation. The paper is organized into sections dealing with (1) definitions, (2) motor learning in general for developmentally normal and handicapped persons, (3) training methods and concepts, (4) evaluation, (5) other areas, (6)…

The purpose of this Child Development Associate (CDA) training module is to help the CDA intern learn to assess the child's level of large muscle development and provide appropriate activities to foster motor coordination. Objectives are stipulated, activities for achieving each objective are suggested, and an assessment checklist is provided. A…

The document provides a guide for the Priority Needs Assessment Scale, designed to obtain data for completing student plans required by the New England Regional Center for Services to Deaf/Blind Children. Following general directions are tables for recording data in six areas: motor development, language development, perceptual cognitive…