Basic Motor Competencies of (Pre)School Children: The Role of Social Integration and Health-Related Quality of Life

Kathrin Bretz (), Harald Seelig, Ilaria Ferrari, Roger Keller, Jürgen Kühnis, Simone Storni and Christian Herrmann
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Kathrin Bretz: Physical Education Research Group, Zurich University of Teacher Education, 8090 Zurich, Switzerland
Harald Seelig: Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, 4052 Basel, Switzerland
Ilaria Ferrari: Physical Education Research Group, Zurich University of Teacher Education, 8090 Zurich, Switzerland
Roger Keller: Centre for Inclusion and Health in Schools, Zurich University of Teacher Education, 8090 Zurich, Switzerland
Jürgen Kühnis: Expert Group Physical Education, Schwyz University of Teacher Education, 6410 Goldau, Switzerland
Simone Storni: Didactics of Physical Education, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, 6600 Locarno, Switzerland
Christian Herrmann: Physical Education Research Group, Zurich University of Teacher Education, 8090 Zurich, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: In (pre)school, children acquire and deepen their basic motor competencies (BMCs) and interact with peers and friends. BMCs are a central developmental goal in childhood and the prerequisite for participation in sportive aspects of social life. Both motor competencies and social integration are linked to children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to describe the connection between BMCs, social relationships, and aspects of HRQoL in (pre)school children. In this study, the BMCs of N = 1163 preschool children ( M = 5.7 years, SD = 0.57, 52% boys) and N = 880 first and second graders ( M = 7.5 years, SD = 0.58, 51% boys) were tested. The children’s social integration was assessed by the teachers; the HRQoL was recorded from the parents’ perspective. In both preschool and primary school, children with better BMCs also showed higher values in their social integration. Moreover, the results indicated a connection between BMCs and general HRQoL in primary school and BMCs and physical well-being in preschool. As BMCs, social integration, and HRQoL seem to be connected in (pre)school, this should be considered both from developmental and health-oriented perspectives, as well as for physical education (PE) lessons.

Keywords: kindergarten; sport; health; motor skills; physical education; well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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