Peer attitudes among children of different motor skill abilities

Abstract

With physical activity constantly being associated with health-related benefits, the need arises for understanding what factors help or hinder children's participation in physical activity. This is the rational behind this study which analyses the positive and negative interactive behaviours that occur among children during play. It analyses the ways in which the perception of motor skilled and unskilled children influences their performance and their inclination towards sport. The study is based on literature review, field observations and group interviews carried out with 12 male and female children attending year 6 in 6 local primary state schools. A superficial observation of children in school playgrounds, may lead one to get the impression that they are happy to engage themselves in all forms of games and activities, driven by a natural instinct to participate. Results of this study have challenged this impression and concluded that while some children are constantly encouraged into further active participation, others are being socialised away from involvement. Children with high motor skill ability have a positive orientation towards involvement as they are socialised through constant positive interaction, while on the other hand,children with low motor skill ability have negative experiences. Results further show that this hasa drastic effect on the way they value sport and participation in physical activity. This study brings to light the associated variables, physiological, psychological and social, that influence children's participation patterns. It highlights the importance of offering all children the possibility of developing the attitudes, motor skills and confidence needed for adopting and maintaining a physically active lifestyle from an early age.