Analyzing the Embedded Learning-Based Movement Education Program’s Effects on Preschool Children’s Visual-Motor Coordination and Self-Regulation

Abstract

Preschool children’s visual-motor coordination skills are very valuable for their academic and social learnings. Using these skills, children have a broad movement repertoire, display better academic skills, participate in classroom activities and social relations, and develop self-regulation. Self-regulation is required for children to set their goals, purposeful planning, monitoring, and adapting. Children are natural players and they enjoy to move and play. Early childhood programs should consider supporting the visual-motor coordination in joint play situations to enhance children’s behaviors. This study used movement activities designed with embedded learning instruction to create cooperative play and increased group interactions among children. The purpose of this research was to analyze the embedded learning-based movement education program’s effects on preschool children’s visual-motor coordination and self-regulation development. For this purpose, an experimental research design with pretest-posttest, control group constructed. Control group children followed their traditional (MoNE, 2013) preschool education program while the experiment group pursued embedded learning-based movement education. Results indicated that both groups of children had significantly better (p.≤.0.05) visual-motor coordination and self-regulation skills. The difference was greater in experience group of children and the correlation was stronger between visual-motor coordination and self-regulation. It has been found that embedded learning-based movement education program positively affected preschool children’s visual-motor coordination and self-regulation.