Background/Purpose Implementing motor skill interventions (MSI) is an effective strategy to increase the performance of motor skills in children. MSI are often led by trained researchers or certified physical education teachers. The purpose of this study was to determine if a student led intervention could significantly increase motor skill competence of preschool children as determined by performance on the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2).
Method Fourteen children (M age = 4.7 years) attending a southeastern university-affiliated preschool center participated in a student-led MSI. The intervention occurred twice a week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes (i.e., 25 minutes of motor skill instruction). Children completed the TGMD-2 pre- and post- intervention. The MSI was supervised by two trained researchers; however, undergraduate students enrolled in a Motor Development class designed developmentally appropriate activities, led the demonstration of each activity, and instructed the children during the lesson.
Analysis/Results A paired samples t-test revealed a significant improvement in mean percentiles of the TGMD-2 from pre- to post- intervention, t(13) = 3.0, p <.05. Two additional paired samples t-tests were conducted to determine if there were improvements in both object control and locomotor skills. Results indicated a significant improvement in locomotor skills, t(13) = 1.9, p = .037, and a non-significant improvement in object control skills, t(13) = 2.3, p = .079.
Conclusions This study provides initial evidence that a student-led MSI that is developmentally and instructionally appropriate can improve motor skills in preschool aged children.