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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
New measure o f perceived motorcompetence for children ages 4 to 6 years
Luis Miguel Ruiz Pérez1, José Luis Graupera Sanz
1Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Campus Universitario Antigua Fábrica de Armas, Avda. Carlos III s/n. 45071 Toledo, España. luismiguel.ruiz@uclm.es
Insights
This study developed the Children's Perception of Motor Competence Scale for children aged 4-6. The scale accurately assesses perceived motor skills and correlates with actual abilities.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Motor Development
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Assessing young children's perceived motor competence is crucial for understanding their development.
- Existing tools may not adequately capture the nuances of self-perception in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Children's Perception of Motor Competence Scale (CPMCS) for children aged 4-6 years.
- To examine the psychometric properties and structural validity of the CPMCS.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyze the scale structure with 495 children.
- Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha.
- Concurrent validity was examined against the Movement ABC Test and an observational scale.
Main Results:
- A second-order model with one general scale and two subscales (Gross and Fine Motor Competence) was selected.
- The CPMCS demonstrated acceptable internal reliability (global scale alpha = .81).
- Perceived motor competence correlated significantly with actual motor competence.
Conclusions:
- The Children's Perception of Motor Competence Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing self-perceptions of motor competence in young children.
- The scale can aid in identifying children's current self-perceptions of their motor abilities.
- No significant sex differences were found in perceived motor competence.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a test for the assessment of perceived motor competence in young children ages 4 to 6 years old. The structure of the Children's Perception of Motor Competence Scale was analyzed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with 495 children between 4 and 6 years of age. A second-order model was selected and consisted of one scale of Perceived General Motor Competence and two subscales, Perceived Gross Motor Competence and Perceived Fine Motor Competence. The number of items was 22. This test showed acceptable internal reliability: global scale (alpha = .81), Perceived Gross Motor Competence (alpha = .80), and Perceived Fine Motor Competence (alpha = .65). Children manifested accuracy in the assessment of the competence. Perceived motor competence was related to actual motor competence as measured by the Movement ABC Test and by an observational scale used by Physical Education teachers. There were no sex differences. The Children's Perception of Motor Competence Scale could be considered an interesting assessment test for identifying current self-perceptions of motor competence in young children.
