The Effect of Spontaneous Play in Nature on the Fine Motor Skills and Visual-Motor Integration of Preschool Children

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of spontaneous play in nature on the fine motor skills and visual-motor integration of preschool children. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental research with pretest-posttest design, two groups were selected using convenient sampling method. Statistical sample of research consisted of 30 preschool children aged 4.5-6.5 years (15 from the Nature School and 15 from kindergarten). The fine motor skills and visual-motor integration were assessed using Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test, respectively. Results: MANOVA test showed that outdoor space activity had positive and significant effect on all of the variables of fine motor skills (P = 0.001) and visual-motor integration (P = 0.001) of children. While indoor space activity had a significant effect on visual-motor integrity (P = 0.013) and among the variables of fine motor skill, only on visual-motor control (P = 0.048). Outdoor and indoor spaces activity caused 71% and 13% changes in visual-motor control and 88% and 20% changes in visual-motor integrity in children, respectively. Conclusion: The type of environment which children play, have significant effect on their development. The natural environment is rich from stimulants, which has a remarkable effect on children’s development. Therefore, it is suggested that children have more activity in natural environment during their childhood to improve their motor and perceptual development.