Basic Motor Competencies of (Pre)School Children: The Role of Social Integration and Health-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

In (pre)school, children acquire and deepen their basic motor competencies (BMCs) and interact with peers and friends. BMCs are a central developmental goal in childhood and the prerequisite for participation in sportive aspects of social life. Both motor competencies and social integration are linked to children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to describe the connection between BMCs, social relationships, and aspects of HRQoL in (pre)school children. In this study, the BMCs of N = 1163 preschool children (M = 5.7 years, SD = 0.57, 52% boys) and N = 880 first and second graders (M = 7.5 years, SD = 0.58, 51% boys) were tested. The children’s social integration was assessed by the teachers; the HRQoL was recorded from the parents’ perspective. In both preschool and primary school, children with better BMCs also showed higher values in their social integration. Moreover, the results indicated a connection between BMCs and general HRQoL in primary school and BMCs and physical well-being in preschool. As BMCs, social integration, and HRQoL seem to be connected in (pre)school, this should be considered both from developmental and health-oriented perspectives, as well as for physical education (PE) lessons.