Effects of exercise on motor and cognitive development in preschoolers

The educational-instructional process, specific to the preschool age of 4–5 years, is oriented towards the formation of children’s motor and cognitive skills. As part of physical activities in preschool education, various exercises are performed to strengthen motor and verbal responses. Light physical exercises and movement games are used to improve motor skills and verbal ability. The present research was carried out on a group of 20 preschoolers, using an experimental methodology, with the help of One-Group Pre-test and Post Test Design. Based on the statistical analysis of the data obtained from the motor skills evaluation tests and the cognitive skills evaluation tests, the value p < 0.001 indicates a positive statistical significance between the pre-test and the post-test. The values of Cohen’s D coefficient by which the effect size was evaluated indicate its great influence (D = 0.893). In conclusion, the differences between the pre-test and post-test values show significant progress, which underlines the effectiveness of the intervention aimed at improving motor and cognitive skills in preschoolers.