# Construction and application of coordination ability evaluation tool for children aged 4–5.9 years old

## TL;DR

This study created a tool to evaluate coordination skills in young children, revealing gender differences and key components of coordination.

## Contribution

A scientifically validated coordination evaluation tool for 4–5.9-year-olds with gender-specific insights and scoring criteria.

## Key findings

- The evaluation tool accurately reflects coordination development in children aged 4–5.9 years.
- Six coordination dimensions were identified: balance, spatial orientation, rhythm, perceptual judgment, limb coordination, and limb movement range.
- Girls generally outperformed boys in coordination scores, though boys showed strengths in specific components like perceptual judgment.

## Abstract

Coordination ability is a critical component influencing children's basic motor skills and participation in physical activities. Positive experiences formed during early movement practice are essential for lifelong health.

This study aimed to scientifically construct a systematic and user-friendly evaluation tool for assessing coordination ability in children aged 4.0–5.9 years, thereby enhancing understanding and promoting targeted development in family and kindergarten activities.

The evaluation indicators were determined through literature review, structured expert interviews, expert interviews, and the Delphi method. Sixteen cities in Shandong Province were sampled using a stratified random cluster sampling approach. A total of 1,068 valid samples were obtained (530 children aged 4.0–4.9 years and 538 children aged 5.0–5.9 years). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to test model validity.

The structural model of coordination ability demonstrated good fit indices. Coordination ability was found to consist of six key dimensions: balance, spatial orientation, rhythm, perceptual judgment, limb coordination, and limb movement range. Evaluation criteria for both 4- and 5-year-old groups were established. Girls exhibited higher overall coordination scores than boys. Boys in the 4-year-old group showed superior perceptual and judgment ability, while boys in the 5-year-old group performed better in perceptual judgment and spatial orientation.

(1) The constructed evaluation tool accurately reflects children's coordination development. (2) The established single and composite scoring criteria effectively distinguish coordination levels among children aged 4–5.9 years. (3) Gender differences exist, with girls generally outperforming boys, though developmental asynchrony is evident across coordination components.