Can't Catch, Can't Throw!: Assessment of Primary School-aged Children's Fundamental Motor Skills and Coordination Levels

Abstract

This research is based on the comparisons of primary school-aged children's coordination level to their performance of a fundamental motor skill. Coordination was measured using both fine and gross motor skills and the tee-ball strike was the fundamental motor skill. How children positioned their body while hitting the ball from the tee-ball stand formed the basis of the 'process performance' measure. The significant relationship between coordination and the process performances allows for various considerations for primary school-aged children. Teachers may identify with the implications such as, how skills are assessed, the manner in which sports carnivals are structured, some children's reaction to competitive games in physical education and the self esteem of children with poor coordination.