| Abstract [eng] |
This Master Thesis provides for theoretical analysis of scientific literature dealing with the development of preschoolers, the specifics of development of children with special educational needs, the physical education of such, and the impact of physical activities on their health. Before starting the research, the hypothesis was made that application of a physical activity program will facilitate the development of motor skills for children with special educational needs. The research, which was aimed to reveal any changes in motor skills for 4 to 5 years old children with special educational needs through applying a targeted physical activity program, was done with testing and experimenting methods. The findings of the research were analyzed in a quantitative manner which allowed determining the changes in motor skills for children with special educational needs. 22 children aged 4 to 5 from two Mažeikiai nurseries-kindergartens took part in the research. The children have special educational needs due to delayed development (of motor, cognitive, communicational, social, emotional skills), as determined by the Pedagogical-Psychological Service through the Diagnostic Child Development Evaluation Test. The respondents were divided into a research group and a control group. The children in the research group underwent a 3 months long experiment: for 25 minutes 2 times a week they were subject to an additional physical activity program. The empirical part of the research was dealing with the level of development of gross and fine motor skills, also any changes in such upon the targeted physical activity program applied. The following are the key conclusions of the empirical research: 1. The empirical research has determined that the worst gross and fine motor skills of children with special educational needs are insufficient (delayed). 2. All gross motor skills have improved upon the targeted physical activity program applied. 3. The fine motor skills of children with special educational needs are insufficient (delayed) and the additional physical activity program applied has not had any considerable impact. The testing and experimenting results confirmed the hypothesis that the development of motor skills of children with special educational needs is delayed and that application of the additional physical activity program will improve their motor skills. |
