Fewer Toddlers above the Norm? A Pilot Study on Supporting Motor Competence in Flemish Childcare and Its Practical Challenges
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| Title: | Fewer Toddlers above the Norm? A Pilot Study on Supporting Motor Competence in Flemish Childcare and Its Practical Challenges |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Eline Coppens (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Motor Learning and Development. 2026 14(1). |
| Availability: | Human Kinetics, Inc. 1607 North Market Street, Champaign, IL 61820. Tel: 800-474-4457; Fax: 217-351-1549; e-mail: info@hkusa.com; Web site: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jmld/jmld-overview.xml |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 12 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Toddlers, Psychomotor Skills, Motor Development, Foreign Countries, Child Care Centers, Intervention, Physical Activities, Gender Differences |
| Geographic Terms: | Belgium |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Peabody Developmental Motor Scales |
| DOI: | 10.1123/jmld.2025-0048 |
| ISSN: | 2325-3193 2325-3215 |
| Abstract: | Motor competence (MC) development from an early age is crucial for fostering healthy developmental trajectories. However, recent evidence suggests a secular decline in MC from age three onward, whereas the status of MC in children under 3 years is scarcely documented. This pilot study assessed MC of Flemish toddlers relative to the benchmarks of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition and evaluated the effectiveness of a 20-week intervention targeting locomotion, stationary skills, and object manipulation. A nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted in 12 Flemish daycare centers, with 104 toddlers (intervention: n = 54, control: n = 50; mean age = 19.9 ±3.0 months). At baseline, results showed a significant leftward shift in MC profiles (p < 0.001, Cramér's V = 0.236) with fewer toddlers classified as above average or superior compared with the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition reference values. Regardless of toddlers' sex, the intervention significantly improved locomotion (p = 0.025; η²ₚ = 0.053) and stationary skills (p = 0.007; η²ₚ = 0.077) but not object manipulation. Given the high daycare attendance rate in Flanders (>70%), these settings offer a valuable opportunity to foster MC development. However, interventions must be feasible, sustainable, and aligned with daycare practices to ensure long-term impact. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1508746 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Motor competence (MC) development from an early age is crucial for fostering healthy developmental trajectories. However, recent evidence suggests a secular decline in MC from age three onward, whereas the status of MC in children under 3 years is scarcely documented. This pilot study assessed MC of Flemish toddlers relative to the benchmarks of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition and evaluated the effectiveness of a 20-week intervention targeting locomotion, stationary skills, and object manipulation. A nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted in 12 Flemish daycare centers, with 104 toddlers (intervention: n = 54, control: n = 50; mean age = 19.9 ±3.0 months). At baseline, results showed a significant leftward shift in MC profiles (p < 0.001, Cramér's V = 0.236) with fewer toddlers classified as above average or superior compared with the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition reference values. Regardless of toddlers' sex, the intervention significantly improved locomotion (p = 0.025; η²ₚ = 0.053) and stationary skills (p = 0.007; η²ₚ = 0.077) but not object manipulation. Given the high daycare attendance rate in Flanders (>70%), these settings offer a valuable opportunity to foster MC development. However, interventions must be feasible, sustainable, and aligned with daycare practices to ensure long-term impact. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2325-3193 2325-3215 |
| DOI: | 10.1123/jmld.2025-0048 |
