The effect of body awareness training of pre-school children based on the Sherborne Developmental Movement method versus regular physical education class

Johan Simons¹, Joke Simons², Carol Leitschuh³ and Maria Raluca Popa¹

1Faculty Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KULeuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tervuursevest 101, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium,
2Centre for Intercultural Management and International Communication (CIMIC), Department of Teacher training, University College, Lessius Mechelen,
3Visiting Scholar Erasmus Mundus Adapted physical Activity, Tervuursevest 101, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium,

Abstract

In the present research is investigated whether the body awareness training of pre-school children based on the Sherborne Developmental Movement method has more positive effects on when compared to a participation in regular physical education class. The research group consisted of 37 girls and 41 boys (average age 5 years and 9 months) from regular pre-school education who were randomly divided into the experimental and control group. The experimental group received a Sherborne Developmental Movement based session once per week for five weeks and one regular physical education class. The control group received a regular physical education class two times a week for five weeks. The results showed a significant improvement in receptive body awareness for the experimental group in comparison with the control group. Contrary to the expectation, the expressive body awareness of the control group showed greater progress as compared to the experimental group.

Keywords:

Physical education, Body awareness, Sherborne Developmental Movement

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