Parental and Educator Perceptions of Implementing Standardized Screenings for Early Detection of Motor Skills in Preschoolers: A Representative Survey

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2025-06-23 DOI:10.1111/cch.70124

Barbara Scheiber, Sarah Mildner, Peter Federolf

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Motor skill development in early childhood is essential for children's overall growth, including social participation and academic readiness. Despite the importance of motor skills, Austria's preventive health program for preschoolers currently lacks standardized motor screenings. This study explores the perceptions of parents and kindergarten educators regarding the potential implementation of regular, standardized motor skill screenings in kindergartens across Tyrol.

Methods

In April–May 2024, questionnaires were distributed to 25 kindergartens across Tyrol. Parents and educators responded to structured and open-ended questions on the perceived importance, feasibility and potential impact of mobility screenings. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, whereas qualitative data underwent thematic analysis to identify key themes regarding attitudes and practical considerations for implementing mobility screenings.

Results

A total of 892 parents and 19 educator teams responded. Both strongly supported mobility screenings, with 90.6% of the parents viewing them as important as existing health screenings and 100% of educators valuing their importance regarding children's motor development. Qualitative responses from parents emphasized the role of mobility screenings in promoting general development while highlighting the need for a child-friendly, voluntary approach. Educators not only showed strong support, noting the feasibility and benefit of daily routines, but also identified logistical and communication challenges regarding follow-up. Both groups acknowledged the potential of standardized screenings for early identification, allowing timely developmental support.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the perceived importance of mobility screening in kindergarten to identify motor skill deficits in early childhood, an insight strongly supported by both educators and parents. Stakeholder support is a critical prerequisite for potential policy adaptations towards offering standardized kindergarten mobility screenings. To ensure effective integration, practical factors such as logistics, tool selection and accessibility must be addressed.

查看原文本刊更多论文

父母和教育工作者对学龄前儿童运动技能早期检测实施标准化筛查的看法：一项代表性调查

儿童早期运动技能的发展对儿童的全面成长至关重要，包括社会参与和学业准备。尽管运动技能很重要，但奥地利针对学龄前儿童的预防性健康方案目前缺乏标准化的运动筛查。本研究探讨了家长和幼儿园教育工作者对蒂罗尔幼儿园定期、标准化运动技能筛查的潜在实施的看法。方法于2024年4 - 5月对蒂罗尔地区25所幼儿园进行问卷调查。家长和教育工作者回答了关于流动性筛查的重要性、可行性和潜在影响的结构化和开放式问题。定量数据进行了描述性分析，而定性数据进行了专题分析，以确定有关实施流动性筛查的态度和实际考虑因素的关键主题。结果共有892名家长和19个教育团队参与了调查。两者都强烈支持流动性筛查，90.6%的家长认为它们与现有的健康筛查一样重要，100%的教育工作者认为它们对儿童运动发展的重要性。家长的定性答复强调流动性检查在促进一般发展方面的作用，同时强调有必要采取对儿童友好的自愿办法。教育工作者不仅表示大力支持，注意到日常生活的可行性和益处，而且指出了后续工作中后勤和沟通方面的挑战。两组研究人员都承认，标准化筛查在早期识别方面具有潜力，可以提供及时的发展支持。结论：研究结果强调了在幼儿园进行运动能力筛查对于识别幼儿运动技能缺陷的重要性，这一观点得到了教育工作者和家长的强烈支持。利益相关者的支持是潜在的政策调整的关键先决条件，以提供标准化的幼儿园流动筛查。为了确保有效的集成，必须解决诸如物流、工具选择和可访问性等实际因素。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.