INTRODUCTION : FACTORS INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT OF FMP


Athletic competition during the childhood years has become increasingly popular. Individual and team sport competition begins as early as the age of 3, even earlier if one considers baby track competitions. Today's baby boomers are exposing young children to physical development programs in record numbers. Fitness clubs have added elaborate facilities where children as young as 6 years workout on child-sized lifecycles, free weights, and weight machines. In addition, organized movement programs in dance and gymnastics begin for children at very young ages.

Children are enrolled in movement and sport programs based on the assumption that the experience will have a positive outcome on their physical, emotional and social development. Any organized movement experience that is properly conducted in an appropriate environment will nurture the child's attainment of skilled movement. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss factors which the teacher must consider that predispose the child to have a successful movement experience. These factors include maturation, learning and motivation (Magill, 1988).

Maturation
Physiological Factors
Cognitive Factors
Motivational Factors
Learning Factors


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