Indri Ardia Putri, Latifatus Sa'adah, Moh Imam Mudi Al Ghofiqi

Early Childhood Gross Motor Development Through Sports Catching and Throwing Balls

Introduction

Early childhood gross motor development through sports catching and throwing balls. Discover how ball-catching and throwing activities enhance early childhood gross motor skills, improving coordination, balance, muscle strength, and fostering discipline at TK Pertiwi Menden.

Abstract

This study aims to describe the development of gross motor skills in early childhood through ball-catching and throwing activities at TK Pertiwi Menden. Gross motor skills are an important aspect of child development because they are related to coordination, balance, muscle strength, and basic movement skills. The study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method through direct observation of children's activities. The results of the study show that ball-catching and throwing activities can improve hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, and large muscle strength. In addition, these activities also foster discipline, cooperation, and children's self-confidence.

Review

This study, "Early Childhood Gross Motor Development Through Sports Catching and Throwing Balls," explores the impact of fundamental ball activities on the gross motor skills of young children at TK Pertiwi Menden. The abstract effectively highlights the significance of gross motor development, linking it to essential components such as coordination, balance, muscle strength, and basic movement skills. Employing a qualitative, descriptive approach through direct observation, the study reports positive findings, indicating that ball-catching and throwing activities can enhance hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, and large muscle strength. Additionally, it identifies valuable socio-emotional benefits, including the fostering of discipline, cooperation, and children's self-confidence. While the study offers an interesting initial exploration, the methodological details provided in the abstract warrant further clarification. The claim that these activities "can improve" gross motor skills suggests a measurable change, which is difficult to definitively substantiate purely through a descriptive qualitative study relying on unspecified "direct observation" without a clear framework for assessment or baseline data. The abstract does not detail the nature of the observations, the duration of the intervention, or the specific indicators used to evidence such improvements. Furthermore, the focus on a single kindergarten limits the generalizability of the findings, making it challenging to extrapolate these results to other early childhood contexts or diverse populations of children. Despite these methodological ambiguities, the study contributes to the discussion around practical, play-based interventions for early childhood motor development, underscoring the potential for holistic benefits. The reported cultivation of discipline, cooperation, and self-confidence alongside physical development is a particularly valuable insight, reinforcing the interconnectedness of various developmental domains. For future research, it would be highly beneficial to incorporate more structured observational protocols, perhaps integrating quantitative measures or pre-post assessments, to provide more robust evidence for the observed "improvements." Expanding the study to include a larger, more diverse sample and offering a more detailed account of the observational methodology would significantly strengthen the findings and enhance their practical applicability for early childhood educators and curriculum designers.

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