Changes in basic motor competencies in preschool children

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze changes in basic motor competencies in preschool children over the course of one school year and to compare the dynamics of their development between two groups of children attending kindergarten. The research sample consisted of 64 children aged 4–6 years (M = 5.54 ± 0.63), who were divided into two equally sized groups. The level of basic motor competencies was assessed using the standardized MOBAK-KG test battery, focusing on two competency domains: object movement and self-movement. Measurements were conducted at three time points (baseline, intermediate, and post-test assessments). Changes within groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test, with the level of statistical significance set at α ≤ 0.05. The results indicated different developmental dynamics of motor competencies across the assessed domains. In the first group, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the self-movement domain, whereas in the second group, a statistically significant improvement was found in the object movement domain. Despite the observed changes, no statistically significant differences between the groups were identified at any measurement point. The findings confirm the heterogeneous nature of basic motor competence development in preschool age and highlight the need for differentiated pedagogical support of both competency domains within the kindergarten environment.