Perceptual-Motor Development and Skill Intervention

Perceptual-motor functioning

Provides the foundation for learning motor skills.

Perception

The process by which we become aware of our surroundings through the use of one or more of our sensory modalities.

Perceptual-Motor

Process of organizing incoming information with stored information that leads to a movement response.

Children's perceptual and motor abilities

Influenced by one another even though they develop at different rates.

Visual Acuity

Distinguish detail in objects.

Static mature

Between ages 10-11 | Snellen Eye Chart.

Dynamic mature

Between ages 11-12 | Tracking a moving object.

Dominant eye

The eye that provides a slightly better input to the brain.

Vision

The primary sensory modality and plays an important role in the process of motor development.

Figure-Ground Perception

Separate object from surroundings, mature between ages of 8-12.

Depth Perception

Judge distance relative to oneself, mature by age 12.

Visual-Motor Coordination

Integrate use of eyes and hands in object tracking & interruption, mature between ages of 10-12.

Perceptual Training

Modify equipment, rules of play, and expectations to enhance perceptual-motor abilities.

Practice in perceptual-motor activities

May enhance perceptual-motor abilities and are correlated with academic achievement.

Environmental restrictions

Reasons children frequently lag in their perceptual-motor learning.

Body awareness

Knowledge of body parts, what they can do, and how to make them move.

Spatial awareness

Knowledge of how much space the body occupies and how to project the body into space.

Directional awareness

Understanding left/right, up/down, top/bottom, in/out, front/back.

Temporal awareness

Time relative to movement, coordinated; rhythm.

Developmental delays in FMS

Young children from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate developmental delays in FMS.

Successful Kinesthetic Instruction for Preschoolers (SKIP)

A framework for motor skill intervention research.

Teacher-Centered Approach to Motor Skills Programs

Direct Approach to teaching motor skills.

Child-Centered Approach to Motor Skills Programs

Mastery Motivation Climate in teaching motor skills.

Parents as Teachers in Motor Skill Programs

Involvement of parents in teaching motor skills.

Motor skill interventions

Using direct instruction, mastery motivational climate, and parents as teachers brings about significant changes in the FMS of young children who are disadvantaged.