Motor Skills of 5-Year-Old Children: Gender Differences and Activity and Family Correlates

Abstract

It is unclear why there may be gender differences in the motor skills of same aged children. We compared motor skill competence of 5-year-old boys and girls ( n = 712) and examined whether variations in time spent in different types of activities and in family-related variables were associated with motor skills. We measured motor skills with the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test, Second Edition short form, and we used parental questionnaires to measure behavioral and family-related variables. Girls outperformed boys on most motor skills tasks, as eight of 14 tests showed statistically significant gender differences ( p <  .001). In addition, drawing or doing handicrafts for 60 minutes or more per day was positively associated with fine motor control ( p <  .001). Father’s higher education was associated with the children’s better body coordination ( p =  .020). Finally, both attending day care ( p =  .017) and outdoor physical activity for 60 minutes or more per day ( p =  .034) were positively associated with strength and agility. We found no associations between manual coordination and either daily activities or family-related variables. Time spent in different activities of young children should be recognized as a means of enhancing the development of fundamental motor skills.