Motor developmental delays of institutionalised preschool-aged children

The aim of this study was the examination and the detection of differences in the motor developmental profiles between preschool-aged children living in conventional institution facilities and in natural family environment. The psychomotor development of 50 children, aged four to six years, was assessed using the two motor subscales (A, locomotor; and D, eye-hand coordination) of the Griffiths Test No II. It appears from the results that the family-reared children had better performance in both motor scales compared to children living in conventional institutions. The findings reinforce the need for the evaluation of motor performance in preschool-aged children raised in institutions, in order to change institution environments into more supportive ones for the most benefit of children's fine and gross motor development. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC