| Summary: | Motor disfunction leads to children experiencing a variety of educational problems like
poor handwriting, poor reading and spelling, and difficulties with mathematics. These
children merely always lack concentration, are figidty and show poor interaction with
teachers and peers. They are often aggressive, timid and have poor self-esteem. It also
happens that peers and parents reject them mainly because they don't understand their
problem.
Studies in various countries have revealed that 5 to 15% of normal children suffer from
motor deficiencies.
The first purpose of this study was lo establish the incidence of children in primary
schools in Potchefstroom who suffer from motor deficiencies. The Pyfer test was used to
achieve this goal. This was done by selecting on a random base 289 pupils between 6 and
9 years of age from 5 primary schools. The results of this pre-test indicated that 83% of
these children have motor deficiencies. The results of a questionnaire which teachers had
to complete regarding the secondary problems these children suffer from, indicate that
class-teachers rate these children low or below average on 9 out of possible 10 variables
tested.
The second purpose of the study was lo establish whether an 8 weeks motor remedial
program which was conducted for one hour per week, could rectify the problems of these
children. Twelve children were selected for the experimental group which underwent the
program, and was compared to a control group (n = 12) with similar motor problems, and
another control group (n = 12) with no motor problems. Immediately after ending the
motor remedial program, the experimental group was re-tested with the Pyfer test to
establish the effect of the treatment. In-group differences (p < 0,05) showed that reflexes
and associated reactions improved significantly. Equilibrium reactions showed no
improvement, while eye function, vestibular function and bilateral integration improved,
but not significantly. These results lead to the conclusion that the remedial program had
an immediate effect on only reflexes and associated reactions, === Proefskrif (PhD)--PU vir CHO, 1994.
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