Effectiveness of the protocol for enhancing handwriting readiness skills of preschoolers aged 4-6 years
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Abstract
Background: Handwriting problem is an important issue for school-aged children and is believed to affect their ability to learn, self-confidence, and participation in school activities. In order to prevent handwriting problems, handwriting readiness training is essential to build crucial pre-writing skills in Thai students.
Objectives: The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of the protocol for enhancing handwriting readiness skills of preschoolers aged 4-6 years.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted with quasi-experimental design; pretest-posttest control group. In total, 40 students with low standard scores on the Beery™ VMI, 6th edition participated in this study. Participants of the experimental group (n=20) participated in a 20-session protocol, across four weeks with 4 sessions in a week, lasting 30 minutes per session, whereas the control group (n=20) students continued their normal school classes. Two students from the experimental group were withdrawn because they attended less than 16 sessions; therefore 38 participants completed the study successfully. The outcome measures included the Beery™ VMI, 6th edition full form and its supplemental Motor Coordination Test; and the BOT™-2. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: By using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, a comparison of VMI and motor coordination scores between before and after receiving a protocol in the experimental group showed the statistical difference of p<0.05, and no statically significant difference were found in fine motor skill scores (p>0.05) with 95% confidence. However, by using the Mann-Whitney U Test, motor coordination scores in the experimental group after post-protocol were higher than pre-protocol with a statistical significance of p<0.05.
Conclusion: This study indicated that the protocol for enhancing handwriting readiness skills of preschoolers aged 4-6 years could be beneficial for improving motor coordination.
Article Details
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Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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