The Effect of Physical Education and Sports Activities on the Motor Skills of Preschool Children

Abstract

In the study, the effects of physical education and sports activities on the motor skills of preschool children were examined. Physical education and sports activities in the form of educational games were applied to 30 pre-school students aged 5 (n = 15) and 6 years (n = 15), 2 days a week and 30 minutes for 12 weeks. Physical education and sports activities; While it included walking, running, jumping and balance exercises, materials such as balls, ropes, funnels and hoops were used. The study was organized according to the pretest and posttest method. Children's motor skills were evaluated by applying motor performance tests developed by Morris, Atwater Williams and Wilmore (1980) that included balance, agility, running, catching, standing long jump and throwing criteria. The data obtained with the pretest and posttest method were analyzed by using the SPSS 23.0 statistical program and applying the t test (Paired-Sample t test) for dependent samples between the tests. According to the findings, a statistically significant improvement was noted in all motor performance criteria (p<0.05). It was determined that the lowest performance improvement occurred in the quickness skill with a rate of 7.80%, and the highest improvement occurred in the catching skill with a rate of 19.57%. In conclusion; It can be said that physical education and sports activities can positively contribute to the development of motor skills of children aged 5-6. However, it should be examined whether the positive development observed in children's motor performance occurs as a result of the natural course of growth processes or as the positive contribution of physical education and sports movements.