Identifying Trajectories of Motor-Skill Acquisition in Preschoolers Through Movement-Based Play
Keywords:
Motor-skill acquisition, Preschool children, Movement-based play, Fundamental motor skills, Early childhood developmentAbstract
This study aimed to explore and identify the developmental trajectories of motor-skill acquisition in preschool children, focusing on the role of movement-based play as both a learning medium and developmental context. A qualitative design was adopted, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, including preschool teachers, physical education instructors, and early childhood development specialists in Hungary. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, and interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. Thematic analysis involved open coding, iterative categorization, and the development of overarching themes to capture the nuanced patterns of motor-skill acquisition. Analysis revealed four main themes: stages of motor-skill development, role of playful contexts, influencing factors, and outcomes of trajectories. Stages included progression from early gross-motor control to mastery and refinement of integrated skills. Structured and unstructured play contexts provided both predictable scaffolds and opportunities for creative exploration, with symbolic play and social interaction further accelerating skill consolidation. Influencing factors included teacher scaffolding, parental involvement, peer modeling, environmental affordances, and child-level conditions such as body composition and health. Reported outcomes spanned physical growth (strength, balance, endurance), cognitive benefits (problem-solving, planning), emotional gains (confidence, resilience), and social development (cooperation, empathy), alongside readiness for school and sports participation. The findings suggest that motor-skill acquisition in preschoolers follows multiple, context-sensitive trajectories shaped by the interplay of child characteristics, pedagogical approaches, family involvement, and environmental resources. Movement-based play serves as a powerful developmental medium, providing both practice opportunities and motivational contexts for motor and cognitive growth. A trajectory-based perspective highlights the importance of designing inclusive, culturally responsive preschool curricula that integrate structured guidance with opportunities for free exploration.
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