The role of parenting in the physical and motor development in young children

The development of motor skills is important for children’s overall functioning. While children born preterm and/or with a low-birth-weight are known to be at risk for impaired motor development, little research has been conducted on how parents can support and stimulate children’s physical and motor development. This study is part of the longitudinal Generations2 cohort following first time mothers and their children from pregnancy onwards. The primary research question of this study is: What is the role of parenting on young children’s physical and motor development? Secondary research questions include: What is the role of parenting in the relationship between risk factors (e.g. prematurity) and child physical and motor development? and: What is the role of parenting in explaining the association between social-emotional/cognitive development and motor development? During the ninth wave of assessments, mothers and children are invited to the gymnasium of VU Uilenstede when children are between six and seven years. A combination of standardized tests, parent-child observations and questionnaires will be used to measure aspects of parenting (e.g. parental attitudes and behavior) as well as the physical fitness and motor skills in children. With this presentation we aim to offer insight into the rationale and main measures of our study.