Author(s): Regina Akuffo Darko

Abstract:
Research has shown that Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) are primary skills in which individuals aged between 2 to 7 should gain a proficiency level of competency in to be able to apply for lifelong physical activities, sports and games. The purpose of this study was to assess the developmental level of overarm throwing skill performance among kindergarten two pupils. Quasi experimental design of single group was employed. The sample for the study was made up of 37 (22 boys and 15 girls) kindergarten two pupils from Esau Ofori Presby KG using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using Test of Gross Motor Development -2 (TGMD-2) instrument designed by Ulrich (2000) with reliability coefficient ranging from 0.67 to 0.93. The instrument was designed to assess the fundamental motor skills of children between the ages of 3 to 10. The process measure of overarm throwing skill was assessed by observation (video recording) and coded with the TGMD-2 instrument with inter-observer reliability coefficient of 0.81. One hypothesis was tested. A sample t-test assuming unequal variance was used to analyse the gender difference in pupil’s overarm throwing for each participant were identified through the assessment. Also, the study revealed that none of the participant was found to have acquired the matured pattern of the overarm throwing skill (t (36) = 2.021, p 1.5 < 0.05). It is therefore recommended that teachers in the preschools assess the fundamental motor skills of pupils to identify each pupil’s level of FMS, also identify pupils who might be found delayed and plan developmentally appropriate intervention programmes for such pupils.

Pages: 300-302  |  1649 Views  120 Downloads

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