Effect of Group Setting on Gross Motor Performance in Children 3–5 Years Old with Motor Delays

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in gross motor performance of children 3–5 years of age with motor delays when assessed individually compared to assessment in a group setting among peers with typical development (TD). Methods: Twenty children with motor delays and 42 children with TD were recruited from a preschool program. A within-subject repeated measures design was used; each child with delay was tested both in an individual setting and in a group setting with two to four peers with TD. Testing sessions were completed 4–8 days apart. Ten different motor skills from the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 were administered. Performance of each item was videotaped and scored by a blinded researcher. Results: Overall gross motor performance was significantly different (p <.05) between the two settings, with 14 of 20 children demonstrating better performance in the group setting. In particular, children performed better on locomotion items (p <.05). Conclusions: The higher scores for locomotion in the group setting may be due to the influence of competition, motivation, or modeling. Assessing a child in a group setting is recommended as part of the evaluation process.

First Page

74

Last Page

86

DOI

10.3109/01942638.2015.1129387

Publication Date

1-1-2017

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