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Published on: September 18, 2017
Does transfer of training help children learn juggling?
1School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE 68182-0216.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Learning juggling with beanbags before practicing with balls significantly improved 5th graders' scores. More time-on-task during practice also boosted juggling performance, highlighting effective learning sequences.
Area of Science:
- Motor Skill Acquisition
- Educational Psychology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Understanding effective learning sequences is crucial for skill acquisition in children.
- Optimizing practice schedules can enhance motor skill development and performance.
- Previous research has explored transfer of training but varied learning sequences requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of four distinct learning sequences for teaching juggling to 5th-grade students.
- To analyze how different practice materials (scarves, weighted scarves, beanbags, balls) and time-on-task influence juggling skill development.
- To determine the optimal practice strategy for maximizing juggling performance and facilitating transfer of training.
Main Methods:
- Fifth-grade students participated in a 3-week juggling practice period.
- Four different learning sequences were implemented, varying practice materials and schedules.
- Learners' time-on-task was a key variable across different practice conditions.
- Juggling performance was assessed using standardized scoring methods.
Main Results:
- The learning sequence involving exclusive beanbag practice before ball practice yielded significantly higher juggling scores.
- All groups demonstrated some degree of transfer of training, indicating skill generalization.
- Students' time-on-task during practice was identified as a strong predictor of final juggling performance.
- Variations in practice schedules and task elements influenced learning outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Practicing with beanbags prior to using balls is an effective strategy for improving juggling skills in children.
- Maximizing students' time-on-task during practice is essential for enhancing motor skill acquisition.
- The findings provide valuable insights into designing effective motor skill learning programs for elementary students.
- Further research could explore the long-term retention and transferability of skills learned through these varied sequences.
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