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Early Childhood Education · 300 Level
This is the complete lecture note for EEC 302 Motor development in early childhood education, prepared for Early Childhood Education students at 300 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1. Course code: EEC 302 2. Course title: Motor Development in Early Childhood Education 3. Course credit load: (2 Units C: LH 15; PH 45) 4. List of Series • Foundations and Principles of Motor Development • Phases of Motor Development in Early Childhood • Correlates of Motor Development and Physical Abilities • Play: Concepts, Roles, and Phases in Child Development • Play Method and Parallel Approaches in Early Childhood Education Series 1: Foundations and Principles of Motor Development Series outline • 1.1 Theories and Background of Motor Development • 1.2 Approaches to Motor Development • 1.3 Principles of Motor Development • 1.4 Relevance of Motor Development to Early Childhood Education Introduction Motor development is central to early childhood education because it influences how children grow, learn, and interact with their surroundings. From the first reflexes of infants to the more coordinated movements of older children, educators must understand the foundations of motor development in order to support healthy growth and effective learning. The aim of this Series is to introduce you to the theories, approaches, and guiding principles of motor development, and to highlight their relevance to early childhood education. We shall commence this Series by exploring the theories and background of motor development, including its definition and importance. Next, we will examine different approaches to motor development and the principles that guide its progression. Following that, we will analyse the principles of motor development, focusing on sequence, individual differences, and influencing factors. Finally, we will conclude by considering the relevance of motor development to early
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS childhood education, emphasising its connection to physical abilities, self-concept, and perceptual-motor growth. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define motor development and explain its theoretical background, • SLO 1.2 describe different approaches to motor development and apply them to classroom practice, • SLO 1.3 analyse the principles of motor development, including sequence, individual differences, and influencing factors, • SLO 1.4 evaluate the relevance of motor development to physical abilities, self-concept, and perceptual-motor growth in early childhood education. 1.1 Theories And Background Of Motor Development 1.1.1 Definition of motor development Motor development refers to the progressive changes in movement behaviour that occur throughout a child’s growth. It involves the acquisition of skills ranging from simple reflexes to complex, coordinated actions. These changes are influenced by both biological maturation and environmental experiences. In early childhood education, motor development is crucial because it underpins a child’s ability to explore, interact, and learn effectively. Fill in the blank: Motor development refers to the progressive changes in ______ behaviour that occur throughout a child’s growth. Diagram showing stages of motor development from infancy to early childhood.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.1: Stages of motor development in children 1.1.2 Historical perspectives and theoretical foundations Early scholars viewed motor development as a purely biological process, emphasising the role of maturation. For example, Arnold Gesell proposed that children progress through predictable stages of motor growth based on genetic programming. Later theories, such as those of dynamic systems, highlighted the interaction between biology and environment, suggesting that motor skills emerge from the cooperation of multiple systems. Maturation theory explains motor development as unfolding according to genetic timelines, while dynamic systems theory defines it as the product of interactions between the child’s body,
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS environment, and tasks. These perspectives help educators appreciate that motor development is not uniform, but shaped by both nature and nurture. Fill in the blank: According to dynamic systems theory, motor skills emerge from the cooperation of ______ systems. Box 1.1: Key theories of motor development • Maturation theory: emphasises genetic programming. • Dynamic systems theory: highlights interaction of body, environment, and tasks. • Ecological theory: focuses on how children perceive and act within their environment. Theory Key Concept Core Idea Maturational Perspective Biological Clock Motor development is driven by the internal maturation of the central nervous system. It follows a predictable, universal sequence (e.g., sitting before walking) largely independent of environment. Information Processing Brain as Computer Focuses on how children receive sensory input, process it in the brain, and produce a motor output. Development improves as the "processor" becomes faster and more efficient. Dynamic Systems Theory Interconnected Systems Movement emerges from the interaction of many systems (muscles, gravity, motivation, environment). Development is non-linear; a change in one system (like leg strength) can trigger a new skill (like walking). Perceptual-Motor Theory Perception-Action Couplet Emphasizes that we move to perceive and perceive to move. Children learn about their environment through movement, and their sensory perceptions guide their motor choices. • 1.1.3 Importance of motor development in early childhood education Motor development is essential because it supports children’s physical abilities, cognitive growth, and social interaction. For instance, when children learn to walk, they gain independence and confidence, which enhances their self-concept. Similarly, fine motor skills such as grasping and drawing contribute to academic readiness.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Educators must recognise that motor development is closely linked to perceptual-motor skills, which involve the integration of movement and sensory information. Encouraging activities that promote motor growth helps children build resilience, coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Fill in the blank: Fine motor skills such as grasping and drawing contribute to ______ readiness. Image of children engaging in play activities that promote motor development. Plate 1.1: Children developing motor skills through play Pilot questions 1.1 1. Motor development refers to progressive changes in what type of behaviour?
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 2. Which theory explains motor development as unfolding according to genetic timelines? 3. What does dynamic systems theory emphasise in motor development? 4. Give one example of a fine motor skill that supports academic readiness. 5. Why is motor development important in early childhood education? 1.2 Approaches To Motor Development 1.2.1 Principles guiding motor development Principles of motor development are the general rules that describe how children acquire movement skills. One principle is cephalocaudal development, which means growth progresses from the head downwards. Another is proximodistal development, where control develops from the centre of the body outward. These principles help educators anticipate the sequence of skill acquisition. Fill in the blank: The principle of ______ development means growth progresses from the head downwards. Diagram showing cephalocaudal and proximodistal development patterns.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.2: Principles of motor development 1.2.2 Different approaches in studying motor development Educators and researchers use various approaches to study motor development. The neuromaturational approach focuses on the role of the nervous system, while the ecological approach considers how children perceive and act within their environment. The dynamic systems approach integrates multiple factors, emphasising that motor skills emerge from the interaction of body, environment, and tasks. Fill in the blank: The ecological approach considers how children ______ and act within their environment.
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