Analysis of Manipulative Motor Activity Development Needs in Children Aged 4–6 Years: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
manipulative movement, early childhood, play activity, Montessori, motor learningAbstract
This study aimed to analyze the needs for developing manipulative movement learning activities for children aged 4–6 years based on teachers’ perspectives at Kiddyland Gym and Pre-School. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, involving three teachers (G1, G2, and G3) through guided interviews covering 11 aspects. Data were analyzed thematically through coding, categorization, theme identification, and cross-source comparison. Five major themes emerged. First, children’s manipulative movement abilities were generally perceived as good, although developmental monitoring relied mainly on daily observations and sports participation. Second, environmental and social interactions provided essential stimulation and movement learning opportunities through active engagement and imitation. Third, movement development was influenced by age, motor ability, strength, activity levels, daily routines, and parental stimulation. Fourth, effective learning strategies included varied play-based activities, creative movement, music, scheduled motor activities, structured sessions comprising warm-up, main activities, and cool-down, and progression from simple to complex movements. Fifth, Montessori materials were perceived to support manipulative movement skills, independence, and sensory, motor, and cognitive development. These findings highlight the need for structured, varied, enjoyable, adaptive, and progressive movement activities, supported by appropriate modifications and simple observation indicators. The findings provide an empirical foundation for developing a manipulative movement activity model or e-module tailored to children aged 4–6 years.
References
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Dewi, R., & Verawati, I. (2022). The Effect of Manipulative Games to Improve Fundamental Motor Skills in Elementary School Students. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 10(1), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijemst.2163
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Jones, D., Innerd, A., Giles, E. L., & Azevedo, L. B. (2020). Association between fundamental motor skills and physical activity in the early years: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 9(6), 542–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.03.001
Komaini, A., Kiram, Y., Gusril, Mario, D. T., Handayani, S. G., & Erianjoni. (2023). Fundamental Movement Skills in Children in Mentawai Islands: Indigenous Tribes in Indonesia. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 23(4), 520–530. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2023.4.05
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Martínez-Bello, V. E., Vega-Perona, H., Robles-Galán, P., Segura-Martínez, P., & Bernabé-Villodre, M. del M. (2023). Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Movement Opportunities in Toddler Education: Perceptions of Early Childhood Educators and Student Teachers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01578-5
Newell, K. M., & Rovegno, I. (2021). Teaching Children’s Motor Skills for Team Games Through Guided Discovery: How Constraints Enhance Learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.724848
Ockta, Y., Padli, Komaini, A., Firdaus, K., & Masrun. (2024). Walk, Run, Jump and learn?: Interactive multimedia for teaching locomotor skills in primary schools. Research and Development in Education, 4(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.22219/raden.v4i1.3 1831
Padli, Cahyani, F. I., Bais, S., Akbar, A., Andika, H., & Sagita, D. D. (2025). Understanding Motor Skill Growth in Children Aged 3- 6 Years?: Parenting Perspectives from a Mixed-Method Approach. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 13(3), 590–599. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2025.130313
Pamungkas, R., Angga, P. D., & Wahyudi, U. (2022). Comparison of Locomotor and Manipulative Movement Ability Based on Height in Elementary School Children. Progres Pendidikan, 3(2), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.29303/prospek.v3i2.244
Qadafi, M. (2023). Metode Montessori: Implikasi Student-Centred Learning terhadap Pekembangan Anak di PAUD. Jurnal Obsesi?: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(3), 2961–2976. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i3.3323
Rihatno, T., & Nuraini, S. R. I. (2021). Children’ s physical literacy development needs using mobile learning. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 21(4), 2395–2401. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2021.s4321
Roscoe, C. M. P., Taylor, N., Weir, N., Flynn, R. J., & Pringle, A. (2024). Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years. Children, 11(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040416
Rusli, M., Pendidikan, J., Kesehatan, J., & Keguruan, F. (2022). Pemanfaatan Permainan Tradisional Sebagai Media Pembelajaran Edukatif pada Siswa Sekolah Dasar Utilization of Traditional Games as Educative Learning Media for Elementary School Students. 7(4), 582–589.
Sääkslahti, A., & Niemistö, D. (2021). Outdoor activities and motor development in 2–7-year-old boys and girls. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 21, 463–468. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2021.s1047
Silverman, D. (2022). Interpreting Qualitative Data. Interpreting Qualitative Data - A Guide to the Principles of Qualitative Research, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071885765
Utoyo, S., Juniarti, Y., Sari, N., & Mangge, K. (2020). Pendidikan Jasmani Untuk Anak Usia Dini: Pengembangan Fundamental Movement Skill (FMS) Pada Anak. Jurnal Obsesi?: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 5(1), 404. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v5i1.605
Vinci, D., Howells, K., & Hall, N. (2023). Early childhood educator training?: The value of educating educators on movement , play , and physical literacy development – A three country case study. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 12(1), 79–101.
Weir, N., Pringle, A., & Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Early Years Education?: What ’ s Known , What ’ s Done , and What ’ s Needed?? Children, 11(1355), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111355
WHO. (2024). Physical Activity Data. WHO, 1–5.
Ardanari, P., Mintarto, E., Tuasikal, A. R. S., & Suroto, S. (2020). Playing Activities Improve Manipulative Skills: a Literature Review. STRADA Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan, 9(2), 374–380. https://doi.org/10.30994/sjik.v9i2.294
Ardoin, N. M., & Bowers, A. W. (2020). Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature. Educational Research Review, 31, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353
Bolger, L. E., Bolger, L. A., Neill, C. O., Coughlan, E., O’Brien, W., Lacey, S., Burns, C., & Bardid, F. (2021). Global levels of fundamental motor skills in children: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(3), 1–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1841405 This
Buckler, E. J., Puterman, E., & Faulkner, G. E. (2021). Early childhood education and care: Do we need to develop the physical literacy of educators? Prospects, 50(1), 55–68.
Buckler, E. J., Faulkner, G. E., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2023). A systematic review of educator-led physical literacy and activity interventions Faculty of Education. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(5), 742–760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2023.01.010
Bulubaan, A., Sianto, M. I., & Bakar, A. (2023). Manipulative movement skills of children with independence. Jurnal Pendidikan Glasser, 7(2), 416–422. https://doi.org/10.32529/glasser.v7i2.2514
Dewi, R., & Verawati, I. (2022). The Effect of Manipulative Games to Improve Fundamental Motor Skills in Elementary School Students. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 10(1), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijemst.2163
Dorji, P., Gyeltshen, C., Sanyasi, G. D., Sithub, P., Dema, T., Yangzom, ., & Choden, Y. (2020). The Impact of Early Child Care and Development Education on Cognitive, Psychomotor, and Affective Domains of Learning. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 12(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajess/2020/v12i130303
Duncan, M. J., Martins, C., Felipe, P., Bandeira, R., Peers, C., Belton, S., Connor, N. E. O., Duncan, M. J., Martins, C., Felipe, P., Bandeira, R., Peers, C., Belton, S., Connor, N. E. O., Tgmd-, S. B., & Issartel, J. (2022). TGMD-3 short version?: Evidence of validity and associations with sex in Irish children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(2), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1978161
Elsborg, P., Heinze, C., Melby, P. S., Nielsen, G., Bentsen, P., & Ryom, K. (2021). Associations between previous sport and exercise experience and physical literacy elements among physically inactive Danes. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11299-2
Imani, R. A., Muslihin, H. Y., & Elan. (2020). Permainan Bola Terhadap Perkembangan Gerak Manipulatif Anak Usia 4-5 Tahun. PAUD Agapedia, 4(2), 273–284.
Irawan, F. A., Fajar, D., Permana, W., & Chuang, L. (2021). Locomotor Skills?: Traditional Games in the Fundamental of Physical Activities Keterampilan Lokomotor?: Permainan Tradisional Dalam Fundamental Aktivitas Fisik. Al Athfaal: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 4(1), 1–13. http://ejournal.radenintan.ac.id/index.php/al-athfaal
Jones, D., Innerd, A., Giles, E. L., & Azevedo, L. B. (2020). Association between fundamental motor skills and physical activity in the early years: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 9(6), 542–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.03.001
Komaini, A., Kiram, Y., Gusril, Mario, D. T., Handayani, S. G., & Erianjoni. (2023). Fundamental Movement Skills in Children in Mentawai Islands: Indigenous Tribes in Indonesia. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 23(4), 520–530. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2023.4.05
Lillard, A. S. (2021). Montessori as an alternative early childhood education. Early Child Development and Care, 191(7–8), 1196–1206. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2020.1832998
Ludyana, E., Hariadi, I., & Fadhli, N. R. (2022). Preschool Age Fundamental Movement Skills Level. Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research, 1(2), 63–78. https://doi.org/10.56003/pessr.v1i2.117
Martínez-Bello, V. E., Vega-Perona, H., Robles-Galán, P., Segura-Martínez, P., & Bernabé-Villodre, M. del M. (2023). Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Movement Opportunities in Toddler Education: Perceptions of Early Childhood Educators and Student Teachers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01578-5
Newell, K. M., & Rovegno, I. (2021). Teaching Children’s Motor Skills for Team Games Through Guided Discovery: How Constraints Enhance Learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.724848
Ockta, Y., Padli, Komaini, A., Firdaus, K., & Masrun. (2024). Walk, Run, Jump and learn?: Interactive multimedia for teaching locomotor skills in primary schools. Research and Development in Education, 4(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.22219/raden.v4i1.3 1831
Padli, Cahyani, F. I., Bais, S., Akbar, A., Andika, H., & Sagita, D. D. (2025). Understanding Motor Skill Growth in Children Aged 3- 6 Years?: Parenting Perspectives from a Mixed-Method Approach. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 13(3), 590–599. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2025.130313
Pamungkas, R., Angga, P. D., & Wahyudi, U. (2022). Comparison of Locomotor and Manipulative Movement Ability Based on Height in Elementary School Children. Progres Pendidikan, 3(2), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.29303/prospek.v3i2.244
Qadafi, M. (2023). Metode Montessori: Implikasi Student-Centred Learning terhadap Pekembangan Anak di PAUD. Jurnal Obsesi?: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(3), 2961–2976. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i3.3323
Rihatno, T., & Nuraini, S. R. I. (2021). Children’ s physical literacy development needs using mobile learning. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 21(4), 2395–2401. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2021.s4321
Roscoe, C. M. P., Taylor, N., Weir, N., Flynn, R. J., & Pringle, A. (2024). Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years. Children, 11(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040416
Rusli, M., Pendidikan, J., Kesehatan, J., & Keguruan, F. (2022). Pemanfaatan Permainan Tradisional Sebagai Media Pembelajaran Edukatif pada Siswa Sekolah Dasar Utilization of Traditional Games as Educative Learning Media for Elementary School Students. 7(4), 582–589.
Sääkslahti, A., & Niemistö, D. (2021). Outdoor activities and motor development in 2–7-year-old boys and girls. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 21, 463–468. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2021.s1047
Silverman, D. (2022). Interpreting Qualitative Data. Interpreting Qualitative Data - A Guide to the Principles of Qualitative Research, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071885765
Utoyo, S., Juniarti, Y., Sari, N., & Mangge, K. (2020). Pendidikan Jasmani Untuk Anak Usia Dini: Pengembangan Fundamental Movement Skill (FMS) Pada Anak. Jurnal Obsesi?: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 5(1), 404. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v5i1.605
Vinci, D., Howells, K., & Hall, N. (2023). Early childhood educator training?: The value of educating educators on movement , play , and physical literacy development – A three country case study. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 12(1), 79–101.
Weir, N., Pringle, A., & Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Early Years Education?: What ’ s Known , What ’ s Done , and What ’ s Needed?? Children, 11(1355), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111355
WHO. (2024). Physical Activity Data. WHO, 1–5.
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