Influence of Focus of Attention During Acquisition of Motor Skills in Children of 3-9 Years

摘要

Instructions directing learner attention externally are known to be more effective than instructions which focus attention internally during motor skill acquisition in adults. However, evidence in children is scarce. Therefore, the present study compared effects of internal and external focus of attention in children of 3-9 years during acquisition of motor skills. A cross-sectional study was conducted over 10 months on school-going children. A total of 540 children from 3 to 9 years of age participated. Children were divided into two groups: internal focus and external focus instruction groups. Each group had to perform two motor tasks. The two groups, within each age group, were compared using independent "t" test. Children between 3 and 5 years performed better with internal focus of attention (3-4 years: p < 0.009 for task 1 and p < 0.002 for task 2; 4-5 years: p < 0.000 for task 2). Children in the age group of 3-5 years performed better with instructions for internal focus during motor skill acquisition. However, there was no significant difference in focus among children beyond 5 years.