Effects of analogy learning on locomotor skills and balance of preschool children

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of explicit and analogy learning on preschool children’s running, long jump, gallop and balance. The participants were 43 preschool children randomly assigned to the analogy learning group (22 children) or the explicit (21 children). In the explicit learning group explicit instructions were given about body and limb movements of the to-be-learned skill, whereas in the analogy group instructions were given in the form of analogies (i.e. using metaphors). The duration of the intervention was four lessons. Prior to and after the intervention, children were assessed for running, long jump, gallop, and balancing on one foot. The results showed that both groups improved significantly regarding locomotor skills, whereas only the analogy group improved in the balance task. The findings support the use of analogy learning as an alternative to explicit in acquiring locomotor skills and improving balance in preschool children.

KEYWORDS:

• Explicit learning
• analogy learning
• preschool children
• balance
• locomotor skills

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dimitris Chatzopoulos

Dimitris Chatzopoulos Assistant Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Physical Education and Sport Science Research interests: Sport pedagogy, sport Didactic, teacher education. E-mail: [email protected], Tel. [phone], ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5069-2613.

Elena Foka

Elena Foka Teacher of Physical Education Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Physical Education and Sport Science. E-mail: [email protected].

George Doganis

Georgios Doganis Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Physical Education and Sport Science Research focus: Teacher education, sport psychology, behaviour of young children. E-mail: [email protected], Tel. [phone]

George Lykesas

Georgios Lykesas Assistant Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Physical Education and Sport Science Research interests: music/movement education. E-mail: [email protected], Tel. [phone]

Thomas Nikodelis

Thomas Nikodelis Teaching staff Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Physical Education and Sport Science Applications in Biomechanics. E-mail: [email protected].