Assessing the cognitive and perceptual-motor abilities of primary school students: Towards an applied educational model

This study aims to assess the cognitive and perceptual-motor abilities of primary school students in Babil Governorate, based on the importance of these abilities in supporting the educational process and building a well-rounded student personality. The study assessed cognitive skills such as working memory, deductive reasoning, and reading comprehension, in addition to perceptual-motor skills such as visual-motor coordination, response speed, and directional awareness. The researcher adopted the descriptive-analytical approach, given its suitability for studying and objectively analyzing existing educational phenomena. The study sample consisted of 150 male and female students from the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades of primary school, randomly selected from several schools in Babil Governorate during the 2024 academic year. Standardized tools were used to measure cognitive and motor skills, and preliminary exploratory tests were administered to verify the validity and reliability of the tools. SPSS was also used to statistically analyze the data and accurately extract results. The study results showed that students had good levels in both aspects, with females outperforming males in cognitive abilities, and no clear gender differences in motor abilities. The results also demonstrated a positive correlation between cognitive and motor skills. The research concluded with a set of recommendations emphasizing the importance of integrating cognitive and motor activities into primary education and developing comprehensive assessment tools that support the construction of an applied educational model that enhances the efficiency of the educational process.