Interlimb coordination differentiates Brazilian children from two socioeconomic settings.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to test the notion that Brazilian children entering private school have a motor function advantage over those entering their first year in public school.


METHODS
Four hundred and two children from the two cultural settings were examined for motor function in the first and 10th month of school (first grade). Participants were assessed based on age-level standards and by total score for all items for children 3 to 7 years of age.


RESULTS
The private school group outperformed their public setting peers on the first and second assessment; both groups improved over the school year. The most interesting outcome was the type of motor task that most clearly differentiated the groups: activities requiring gross motor (interlimb) coordination.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the recommendations given, it is suggested that motor skill activities, especially those involving interlimb coordination, be included with any type of motor programming for young children.
Bobbio
Tatiana G
TG
Department of Pediatrics, State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Gabbard
Carl
C
Gonçalves
Vanda G
VG
Filho
Antonio A B
AA
Morcillo
André M
AM
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting; D017149:Private Sector; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D017150:Public Sector; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012574:Schools / Q000145:classification*; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population