ABSTRACT
This chapter will first provide a brief overview of an emerging concept of physical literacy, define motor development, and discuss principles of motor development. We will go on to describe models of motor development and the emergence of key fundamental motor skills (FMSs). A summary of gender differences in motor skills will be provided, along with developmental delays in FMS of young children who are disadvantaged. Along with a conceptual understanding of how FMSs develop, we will also explain how developmental sequences and behavioral attractors can be used instructionally. These concepts are important as many disadvantaged preschool children are delayed in their motor skills and in need of motor skill intervention. Furthermore, when provided with developmentally appropriate motor instruction in programs, these children can make significant and often large gains in their motor skills remediating their prior delays. Thus, we offer a list of resources to assist the early childhood teacher in providing developmentally appropriate instructional activities including lesson ideas provided by several professional organizations. We will conclude with a summary of the motor skill intervention and physical activity literature, along with implications for promoting an active start in young children.
