Title
The Performance of Fundamental Gross Motor Skills by Children Enrolled in Head Start
Abstract
The purpose of study was to descriptively evaluate the performance of fundamental gross motor skills in children enrolled in Head Start. Participants of this study were 138 children (73 females and 65 males), ages five years old. Children's fundamental gross motor skills were assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) (Ulrich, 1985). The levels of performance in children who were enrolled in Head Start were compared and contrasted with performance profiles of the TGMD and normative data for same‐aged children. The results of this study indicated that 41% of children in Head Start performed below average and 16% of children demonstrated substantial deficiency in overall fundamental gross motor skills. Multivariate statistics followed by univariate statistics indicated significant group differences on locomotor skills (F,,244 = 229.50, p<.01 with 02 = .49) and overall gross motor skill (F1,244 = 34.77, p<.01 with 02 = .13). Based on these results, the authors suggest that curriculum for Head Start programs should focus on the importance of developing fundamental gross motor skills.
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443011690104
Keywords
head start children, gross motor skills
Publication Date
2001
Recommended Citation
Woodard, Rebecca J., and Joonkoo Yun. "The performance of fundamental gross motor skills by children enrolled in head start." Early Child Development and Care 169, no. 1 (2001): 57-67.
Journal Title
Early Child Development and Care
