Movement and Movement Patterns of Early Childhood.

This study was undertaken to determine the progressive development in movement and movement patterns (coordinated movements of body parts used involuntarily to achieve an objective) of children 2- to 6-years-old, to identify general characteristics which may be studied for appraisal of growth and development, and to study variations in movement among normal subjects in this age range. The study was conducted by observation, motion photography, and analysis of the performance of subjects in 18 to 25 movement tasks in each of six school semesters. Movement performance recorded on film was analyzed according to the Movement Task Analysis Form developed for each task. To establish a suitable context for determining movement development, the factors of age, sex, intelligence, maturity, teacher's estimate of achievement, and reading readiness were studied in relation to the subject's motor scores. Movement task scores were summarized for each age group. The study concluded that normal preschool children will perform a variety of movement tasks which are similar and which develop according to a predictable timetable; although motor performance and movement development vary with age, sex, and among individuals. Seven characteristics significant in the movement development of young children were identified. (Author/AJ)