Psychomotor Development and Perception in Children
Psychomotor Development: Concept and Components
Concept: Evolution of the subject to perform actions and movements, as well as the mental representation and consciousness of them. It includes both external components (action) and internal components (representation).
Body Schema
Elements of the body schema include the mental representation of the body, the possibilities of movement, and spatial constraints.
Laterality
Lateral predominance in executions. Association of movement coordination and progressive movement patterns.
Muscle Tone
Tension required for a capture and structuring of space, relating body control with the location of objects and people. Location of structuring time in a cycle of experiences.
Transport: Autonomous movements of the body.
Psychomotor Curriculum Elements in Early Childhood Education
Objectives:
- Develop progressive autonomy.
- Form a positive self-image.
Contents:
- Body perception, knowledge, and orientation in space and time.
- Free body expression.
Methodology
General principles guiding educational practice.
Psychomotor Assessment
Must be continuous and individualized, and done through observation.
Perception: Concept and Components
Concept: A conscious response to the stimulation of a sensory organ.
Components:
- Physical Component
- Physiological Component
- Psychological Component
Perception
A mental process that gives meaning to and interprets sensory information. Components include known motifs and stored previous experiences.
Theories About Perception
- Organicism: Information is obtained without any interpretation (insight).
- Gestalt: Reconstructive brain sensation; perception is indirect.
- New Look: Perception as an adaptive activity; it is a function of reasons, needs, and experiences.
- Cognitive: Indirect, constructive position of perception.
Perceptual Learning
Concept: An increase in the subject’s ability to extract the information that reaches us.
Terms: Discrimination of objects, perceptual experience, and practice.
Organization and Sensory Perception
Perception serves as a target to get in touch with the environment through the senses.
Development of Visual Perception
Physiological Basis: Vision is a functional sense from birth. It grows in the first few months. The perception of color is an innate quality.
Hearing and Other Sensory Modalities
Auditory sensory modality is present before birth; it differs between children and between children and adults. Other modalities are functional at birth and evolve in the first few weeks.
Intersensory Coordination (Intermodal Perception)
Information arrives through different sensory modalities. It is functional from birth and evolves in the first few months.
Sensory and Perceptual Organization up to Age 6
Stages in the Development of Perception:
- Conceptual Phase: Understanding properties through management.
- Perceptive Phase: Combined with practical handling of objects. Perception is sufficient to capture differential and outstanding properties of objects.
Educational Intervention
Instruments of Intervention: Body Activity
Properties:
- The child becomes aware of the parts of their body.
- Builds elements of their body schema.
- Intelligence is built.
- Becomes aware of the results of their actions.
- Language is very important as representation.
- Motivation: Education should be in accordance with needs and interests.
Examples of Intervention Activities
- Spontaneous activity routines.
- Activities suggested by the adult.
Order and Time-Space Organization of the Class
Standards: We provide simple rules that organize activities.
Examples:
- Sensing when an activity ends and the next begins.
- Collecting materials.
- Changing activities.
- Changing spaces.
- Spaces for each activity.