Effect of Group Setting on Gross Motor Performance in Children 3–5 Years Old with Motor Delays

ABSTRACT

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in gross motor performance of children 3–5 years of age with motor delays when assessed individually compared to assessment in a group setting among peers with typical development (TD). Methods: Twenty children with motor delays and 42 children with TD were recruited from a preschool program. A within-subject repeated measures design was used; each child with delay was tested both in an individual setting and in a group setting with two to four peers with TD. Testing sessions were completed 4–8 days apart. Ten different motor skills from the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 were administered. Performance of each item was videotaped and scored by a blinded researcher. Results: Overall gross motor performance was significantly different (p < .05) between the two settings, with 14 of 20 children demonstrating better performance in the group setting. In particular, children performed better on locomotion items (p < .05). Conclusions: The higher scores for locomotion in the group setting may be due to the influence of competition, motivation, or modeling. Assessing a child in a group setting is recommended as part of the evaluation process.

KEYWORDS.:

• Environment
• gross motor
• group setting
• motor assessment
• motor skill
• preschool

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the local public school district for allowing us to complete this study, especially all the physical therapists and preschool staff. The authors would also like to acknowledge Kim Bryant, PT, DPT, and Brooke Selman, PT, DPT, for their role in scoring the video-recorded test sessions. The authors are grateful to all the children and their families for their willingness to participate; for without them, this study would not have been possible.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.