The association between motor abilities and movement skills with cognitive abilities in preschool children

Introduction: There is a lack of studies specifically analyzing the association between motor abilities and movement skills with cognitive abilities in children. Objective: The study aimed to examine the association between motor abilities and movement skills with the cognitive abilities of preschool children. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, the total sample consisted of 91 children (41 boys and 50 girls), preschoolers aged five to six years (average age 6.09±0.38 years). Motor abilities were assessed through four Bruininks–Oseretsky (BOT-2) subtests, and movement skills were evaluated via the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), while cognitive abilities were measured using the School Maturity Test (TZŠ+). Results: Based on multiple regression analysis, significant associations between motor abilities and cognitive performance of preschool children were revealed. Specifically, the results demonstrated that motor abilities, particularly body coordination and fine motor integration explain a notable proportion of the variance in cognitive total scores. Contrary to expectations, movement skills did not demonstrate an association with cognitive abilities in preschool children. Conclusions: In conclusion, the findings underline the importance of fostering comprehensive approaches to early childhood education that recognize the integral role of motor abilities in cognitive development. Further exploration is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying the association between movement skills and cognitive development.