Abstract

GIBSON, Vanessa; VAN DER MERWE, Elna  and  COETZEE, Brenda A.. Early childhood practitioners' awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition and movement guidelines. SAJCE [online]. 2024, vol.14, n.1, pp.1-8. ISSN 2223-7682.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v14i1.1226.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood development (ECD) practitioners are essential in governing foundational aspects, such as gross motor development and participation in physical movement AIM: This study aimed to determine ECD practitioners in Vanderbijlpark's awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition and movement guidelines for children birth to 4 years. Associations between these ECD practitioners' demographic aspects and their determined awareness were also explored SETTING: This study included 50 ECD practitioners (M = 36.9 years) from nine ECD Centres (ECDCs) in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa METHODS: A descriptive quantitative, cross-sectional design was followed. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and associations between practitioners' demographic aspects and their awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition and movement guidelines RESULTS: Correct awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition was mainly observed for milestones acquired during the first year of life. Participants' awareness of screen time guidelines was relatively good, while their awareness of movement and sleep guidelines was poor. Having children, as well as the age of these children, respectively, correlated significantly with practitioners' knowledge of standing alone (p = 0.007) and jumping 2 feet (p = 0.046). Participants' work experience or training was not significantly associated with their determined awareness CONCLUSION: The sample of ECD practitioners in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, did not have adequate awareness of gross motor milestones and recommended movement guidelines for children birth to 4 years CONTRIBUTION: Limited awareness of gross motor milestone acquisition and movement guidelines amongst ECD practitioners' warrants development of knowledge through ECD-related training, CPD opportunities, and short courses

Keywords : early childhood development (ECD); ECD practitioner; ECD centre; gross motor milestones; movement guidelines.

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