Background/Purpose Previous research has shown a distinct relationship between motor proficiency and cognition in children between 5 and 15 years of age, however, little has been done to explore this association at an earlier age. The aim of this study was to determine the association between motor proficiency and cognitive ability in 4-year-olds.
Method Thirty-two (15 males, 17 females) 4-year-olds (age ±5.59 months) were examined for motor proficiency using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) (Fine Manual Control, Manual Coordination, Body Coordination and Strength & Agility) and for cognitive ability using Verbal, Non-verbal, and Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores as determined by the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2). The order of assessments was counterbalanced.
Analysis/Results Correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships between Body Coordination and Verbal (.45) and IQ scores (.51), Manual Coordination and IQ (.55), as well as Total Motor Proficiency and Verbal (.49), Non-verbal (.40), and IQ scores (.58). Additional regression analysis revealed similar results, with Manual Coordination predicting Verbal ability (32%) and IQ (31%) and Total Motor Proficiency predicting Verbal (24%), Non-verbal (16%), and IQ scores (34%).
Conclusions A 4-year-old's motor skills appear to have a significant relationship with their cognitive abilities, thus emphasizing the importance of developing a child's motor skills very early in life. Motor and cognitive assessments at this age can also allow children time to practice weaker areas to better prepare them for the school system.
See more of: Research Consortium