In this article we discuss the results of a motor intervention study that we conducted with young children with Down syndrome and other disabilities (Mahoney, Robinson & Fewell, 2001). Results from this study indicated that neither of the two major treatment models that are commonly used with young children with motor impairments was effective at…

This research paper reports on testing the hypothesis that music and spatial task performance are causally related. Two complementary studies are presented that replicate and explore previous findings. One study of college students showed that listening to a Mozart sonata induces subsequent short-term spatial reasoning facilitation and tested the…

In an attempt to demonstrate the direct relationship of physical play to sensory integration, this descriptive study measured fine and gross motor activities, and the repetition and duration of preferred activities among 179 children between 2 and 8 years of age who participated in 3 early childhood programs in California. Data were collected by…

Prepared specifically for parents of children ages 4 to 6, this brief guide (available in English or Spanish) provides basic information about what basic skills children should master, and how parents can help them acquire these skills. Ideas and suggestions are given for teaching such basic skills as controlling large and small muscles,…

The effects of specific play apparatus experience on a test of upper body muscular endurance was investigated among a group of children 4-6 years old. Both the control and experimental group consisted of 45 subjects randomly selected on the basis of age from two private day care centers situated in the same community. The two groups were of…

Overview Snapshot Observational Technical (OSOT) is specifically designed to allow users to obtain both pictorial and categorical data related to the transactions in context component of early childhood (prekindergarten and kindergarten) educational programs. Such information is especially useful in operations calling for descriptive evaluation.…

The study explored the relationship of eye-hand coordination differentiated by three levels and two answer marking formats (test booklet and answer sheet). Simple effects tests indicated significant differences in favor of the booklet format for low and middle range eye-hand groups but not for the high group. (DWH)

Recently an earnest, brilliant, and learned Italian woman, Dr. Maria Montessori, has become famous, probably beyond her desire, for her contribution to the knowledge of little children and for the embodiment of her own and the discoveries of others in what she likes to call "a method of a new science of education." Her scientific investigations as…

Movement of all types can become a healthy part of classroom activity. Movement can be an activity in and of itself, or it can become part of existing activities, for example, having children act out a concept being studied or the actions of people or objects in stories being told. (JW)

Relationships were examined between measures of shyness and self-esteem for 53 preschool children. Shyness was negatively related to a self-esteem rating and to a measure of the child's expectations of self-efficacy in performing motor tasks. Continued attention to early shyness in empirical, theoretical, and practical work is suggested. (Author)

Sensory and motor experiences are essential in childhood and are the foundation for all higher level learning and skill acquisition. This paper examines how young children make sense of sensory experiences, focusing on infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. It also looks at the importance of creating an environment rich in…

Discusses how movement programs can help young children develop fundamental movement patterns and healthy, active lifestyles while learning cognitive and psychosocial concepts, noting misconceptions about early physical activity and motor skill development, describing specific approaches for promoting physical activity, and explaining that…

This study examined the developmental attainments of children with visual impairments, aged 6-59 months, with and without emotional deficits, behavioral deficits, or both. It found that an emotional or behavioral deficit was significantly related to gross motor and visual motor integration, expressive and receptive language, and social or personal…

Most motor development experts, teacher educators, and physical educators agree that the development of fundamental motor skills ought to be the focus of primary level (K-2nd grade) physical education. Given the limited number of days allocated for physical education in most elementary schools, ensuring that all students learn 200 or more…