Schema Theory: An Application to Integration of Fine and Gross Motor Skills of Young Children

Abstract

This study tested the extension of Schmidt's schema theory to the relationship between fine and gross motor skills. It was hypothesized that significant covariation would occur between isomorphic pairs of fine and gross motor skills. 52 children ranging in age from 29 to 63 mo. were tested on a series of 20 tasks. Each fine motor task was paired with an analogous gross-motor task having identical underlying cognitive elements but requiring different muscle groups for execution. When age was partialled out, the results showed significant covariation among 6 of 10 pairs of isomorphically related skills. In contrast, no consistent positive relationship among unrelated fine or gross motor skills was demonstrated. These findings support Schmidt's motor schema theory and suggest that the schema may function to integrate selected aspects of fine and gross motor skills of young children.