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Description:
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A contemporary view of early childhood motor development considers
environmental influences as critical factors in optimal growth and behavior , with the
home being the primary agent . However , minimal research exists examining the
relationship between motor development and the home . The present dissertation
addresses this gap with the goal of creating an innovative parental self -report instrument
for assessing the quality and quantity of factors (affordances and events ) in the home
that are conducive to enhancing motor development in children ages 18 -to -42 months . In
Study 1 , following initial face validity determination , expert opinion feedback and
selective pilot -testing , construct validity was examined using 381 Portuguese families .
Factor analysis techniques were used to (1 ) compare competing factorial models
according to previous theoretical assumptions , and to (2 ) analyze the fit of the preferred
model . Of the five plausible models tested , the 5 -factor solution provided the best fit to
the data . Reliability was established through the scale reliability coefficient with a value
of .85 . Study 2 tests for the content validity of the instrument , examining the
relationship between the inventory and level of motor development . Fifty -one (51 )
participants from the original sample were assessed for motor development using the
Peabody Developmental Motor Scales II (PDMS2 ) . Comparisons were made between
the PDMS2 classifications of the AHEMD -SR quartile groups . Results supported the
primary hypothesis , that is , less favorable motor development was associated with less
availability of home affordances . Furthermore , the interaction of (factors ) Inside Space
and Variety of Stimulation was significantly related to both Gross and Total Motor
Development scores .
The findings of these two studies suggest that the AHEMD -SR is a valid and
reliable instrument for assessing how well home environments afford movement and
potentially promote motor development . |