Monitoring Motor Competence in 1- to 3-year-old Flemish Toddlers (MoMoCo)

Monitoring Motor Competence in 1- to 3-year-old Flemish Toddlers (MoMoCo)

Reference values and insight into the correlates/determinants of motor competence and its development during the early years of life.

Motor competence (MC) is key in developing a healthy and active lifestyle and it relates to human cognitive and socio-emotional functioning. Yet, recent literature indicates a decline in (pre)school children's MC, while MC development and its influencing factors are hardly documented in 1- to 3-year-olds. As such, the WHO pinpoints motor development as a research gap to address in this age group. This has led to the following aims of this project, being situated in the context of child daycare centres and applying a mixed methods approach: In a cross-sectional study, we objectively assess the current status of MC levels in Flemish toddlers, and investigate associations with cognitive/socio-emotional functioning and other individual as well as environmental factors. In a subsequent prospective cohort study, we examine individual change in MC developmental trajectories and cognitive/socio-emotional capacities over a 1-year timespan, identifying baseline determinants thereof. Finally, by means of focus group studies, parents’ and (day)caregivers’ knowledge, perceptions and needs regarding their contribution to toddlers’ daily MC promotion will be investigated. The project’s main deliverables are:

• Up-to-date regional normative values for MC assessment and monitoring in Flemish toddlers.
• A thorough insight in individual and environmental factors of MC and its development, including the parents’/caregivers’ perspective, to shape successful MC interventions in the future.