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Published on: July 9, 2016
The Relationship of Motor Coordination, Visual Perception, and Executive Function to the Development of 4-6-Year-Old
Ying Fang1, Jingmei Wang1, Ying Zhang1
1Hangzhou College of Early Childhood Teachers' Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou 310012, China.
Insights
Visual motor integration (VMI) skills develop dynamically in preschoolers, peaking at age five. Motor coordination and cognitive flexibility are key factors influencing VMI development across early childhood.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Visual motor integration (VMI) is crucial for functional skills in childhood.
- Understanding VMI development and its influencing factors is essential for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the developmental trajectory of VMI in Chinese preschoolers aged 4-6 years.
- To identify the relationships between VMI and its potential factors: visual perception, motor coordination, and executive function.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Beery Developmental Test Package and Executive Function Tasks.
- Assessed 151 Chinese preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years.
- Analyzed VMI development and its correlation with visual perception, motor coordination, and executive function components.
Main Results:
- VMI skills showed rapid development at age 4, peaked at age 5, and declined between ages 5-6.
- Motor coordination and cognitive flexibility were significantly associated with VMI development in 4-6 year olds.
- Visual perception influenced VMI in early 4-year-olds, while inhibitory control was relevant for 4 and early 5-year-olds.
- Working memory did not show a significant impact on VMI.
Conclusions:
- Preschool VMI development is dynamic and not linear.
- The contributing factors to VMI vary across different preschool age ranges.
- Findings offer guidance for professionals aiming to enhance VMI skills in early childhood.
Abstract:
Visual motor integration (VMI) is a vital ability in childhood development, which is associated with the performance of many functional skills. By using the Beery Developmental Test Package and Executive Function Tasks, the present study explored the VMI development and its factors (visual perception, motor coordination, and executive function) among 151 Chinese preschoolers from 4 to 6 years. Results indicated that the VMI skills of children increased quickly at 4 years and peaked at 5 years and decreased at around 5 to 6 years. Motor coordination and cognitive flexibility were related to the VMI development of children from 4 to 6 years. Visual perception was associated with the VMI development at early 4 years and inhibitory control was also associated with it among 4-year-old and the beginning of 5-year-old children. Working memory had no impact on the VMI. In conclusion, the development of VMI skills among children in preschool was not stable but changed dynamically in this study. Meanwhile the factors of the VMI worked in different age range for preschoolers. These findings may give some guidance to researchers or health professionals on improving children's VMI skills in their early childhood.
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