Quantitative measurement of harmonious development in preschool children based on the relationship between cognitive and motor skills

Aim. The paper aims to justify the use of special quantitative indicators and the integral index of harmonious development in preschool children. Materials and methods. The study involved 50 preschool children aged 5-6 years (Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia). In all children, motor and cognitive skills were measured. Motor skills were measured with the corresponding conditioning and coordination tests. Cognitive skills were presented in the form of verbal-logical and visual thinking skills. Results. Our study did not show any significant correlations between the parameters of cognitive and motor development and was consistent with previous studies. The data obtained were modified into the indices of cognitive and motor development (ICD and IMD, respectively). In the final part of the study, the index of harmonious development was proposed (HI) to assess the relationship between cognitive and motor skills in quantitative and qualitative terms. These indices were used to justify the program of physical development in preschool children with the use of game elements. Conclusion. The study showed both a significant increase (р ≤ 0.05) of cognitive and motor levels and a significant improvement in the relationship provided by the index of harmonious development. In the experimental group, baseline data changed from 5.7 ± 0.7 to 7.5 ± 0.7 by the end of the study compared to 5.3 ± 0.8 and 5.6 ± 0.8 in the control group.