Effects of Family Environmental Factors on Preschool Children's Motor

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to delve into the influences of both family physical and psycho-social environmental factors on children's motor abilities. The study subjects consisted of 1,220 kindergarteners and their parents from 53 registered public and private kindergartens in Taipei County. The parents were requested to fill out Children's Family Environment and Their Motor Abilities Survey Form. Then, their children's motor abilities were tested. Statistical methods including one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test was used to analyze the acquired data. The main findings of the study were as follows: 1. Children with an easy access to sports equipment at home showed better performance in explosive strength, agility, coordination, muscular endurance and speed. 2. Children living in the vicinity of safe playgrounds showed better performance in balance, explosive strength, agility, muscular endurance and speed. 3. Children with more than three siblings showed better performance in balance, explosive strength, agility, muscular endurance and speed. 4. Children whose fathers’ were good at sports showed better performance in agility and muscular endurance. 5. Children whose mothers' were good at sports showed better performance in balance and muscular endurance. 6. Children with more than four playmates of the same age in the neighborhood showed better performance in agility, coordination, muscular endurance and speed. The findings of the present study concludes that children with an easy access to sports equipment at home, living in the vicinity of safe playgrounds, with more than three siblings, whose parents' were good at sports or who have more than four playmates of the same age in the neighborhood showed better performance in motor abilities.