The Difficult Items in the TGMD-2 and BOT-2 for Taiwanese Preschoolers

Shu-Chu Yang,Hsin-Ying Chang,I-Tso Chien,Shu-Jung Lin

doi:10.13189/saj.2020.080626

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to determine which items in the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition(TGMD-2) and Bruiniks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency, with which Second Edition (BOT-2) preschoolers have difficulty. The methodology consisted of qualitative research. We used two motor skill testing and observation children's motor skill. The participants were 40 preschoolers, 20 participants were 48 months through 59 months of age, and the other 20 participants were 60 months through 78 months of age, all of whom completed both of these standardized tests. The findings were as follows: For TGMD-2, in galloping, the 1st group participants lacked a coordinated stride. Over 85 percent of all children were unable to transfer body weight to the front foot. Around 70 percent of the 1st group were unable to push a ball with their fingertips, and 65 percent of the 1st group were unable to maintain control of a ball for four consecutive bounces without having to move their feet to retrieve it. For BOT-2, all children had difficulty copying a five-pointed star and dribbling a ball with alternating hands. Around 95 percent of the 1st group participants were unable to do the knee push-ups, and 42 percent of them were unable to do sit-ups. It is recommended that preschool teachers should design low structured ball activities, which kids enjoy playing due to the lack of formal instruction. Moreover, instructions and demonstrations should be given in a lively manner, so as to make the activity more appealing. Finally, in light of the difficulties, Taiwanese preschoolers have with several of the items (dribbling, dribbling with alternate hands, etc.), we recommend that the scoring criteria be minorly adjusted based on the results of same test administered in various countries.

Highlights

Steady advances in technology have brought about many benefits the world over, but are a major cause of reduced physical activity
Numerous studies have shown that early childhood is the critical period for the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS), which in turn
For the 48 months through 59 months the success rate was only 65%, since many were unable to maintain a rhythmic pattern for four consecutive gallops and a step forward with the lead foot followed by a step with the trailing foot to a position adjacent to or behind the lead foot

Summary

Introduction

Steady advances in technology have brought about many benefits the world over, but are a major cause of reduced physical activity. Even in our near surroundings, we can turn on/off electronic devices with the "help" of our fingers. Much of what we used to do by using whole body movements, nowadays, we just use the hands or even the fingers [1]. Additional factors militating against Taiwanese preschoolers getting sufficient exercise are the lack of open spaces in urban areas, overworked parents with little time for outdoor activities, and an educational environment which gives little importance to physical development. Numerous studies have shown that early childhood is the critical period for the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS), which in turn

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Results

Conclusion