engleski

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TWO TYPES OF COMMUNITY AND PRESCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ON CHILDREN'S MOTOR SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Influence of the environment is an important factor in child development. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in motor skills and abilities of preschool children attending kindergartens in two different community size environments: medium vs. large city. METHODS: Participants in this research were 444 preschool children from the capital, large urban city, and one medium size city. For the assessment of motor abilities and skills six tests were used from the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT2). Besides that, two tests were adapted from the ALPHA Health-Related Fitness test-battery (standing long jump and 40m sprint test). RESULTS: Main results of this research show significant differences in some motor abilities and skills of children from different places of residence. Children from the capital city achieved better results in the test of alternative ball dribbling with hands (F=10.52 ; p<0.05) and in the test of running 4x10m (F=13.73 ; p<0.05). Further, girls from the medium size city were better in standing long jump (F=7.92 ; p<0.05). Previous research has shown some specificity in motor abilities of kindergarten children living in different areas, but the results were not consistent. CONCLUSIONS: In general, there is some evidence of small city areas benefits for motor competence. It is important to detect possible differences related to community characteristics and influence on specifically very early in the child development when implementing effective interventions for physical activity and health improvements.

city, motor development, physical activity

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