The ecological perspective and motor and cognitive development of children: the playground “Primo Sport 0246”

Abstract

The ecological perspective considers environment, task and personal characteristics as fundamental and determinant constraints in motor and cognitive development. When one of these conditions changes, the experience result changes. In this study we investigated the role of different methods of teaching/learning motor skills in 5-year-old children (structured activity and free play), in development of cognitive processes and motor competence. 7 children follow a structured program to learn balance motor skills at the “Primo Sport 0246” playground in northern Italy for 10 times, once a week, one hour each time. 25 children played free play in the park, for the same duration and time. After the training the group of children practicing the structured activity increased executive functions and motor competence, while the group that did free play only did not improve. Space organization and materials alone are not enough to increase children's cognitive skills and motor competence and the teacher plays a fundamental role.