Teaching Fundamental Motor Skills Essay

The main scope of my motor observation report was to monitor the process of teaching children the basic motor skills that were necessary for playing basketball. The method that teacher employed were premised on drilling and practicing simple skills to develop them into more sophisticated. At the very beginning of the lesson, the coach told children to dribble by controlling and coordinating ball movements.

Hence, children had to dribble the ball at different levels, as well overcome the barriers. In such a way, children learnt both to control ball directions and their own travelling. Concentration and coordination were also the skills that were gained through this activity because children had to distribute their attention in order not to lose the ball and balance their movements. The second exercise involved dribbling to the music.

Children had to listen to the music and control the ball movements. In such a manner, they could learn how to stabilize or speed up the ball while listening to the rhythm. It also trained children’s ability to perform two activities on the spot. The next practice focused on training object control and stabilization by exchanging balls with partners. Hence, the task of the children was to direct the ball toward his/her partner and take control of the ball addressed to him.

At the very beginning, children did not succeed in focusing on the coach’s tasks because their attention was paid on coordinating their movements so that they could both control the ball and overcome the barriers. However, further practicing allowed children to listen to the coach’s advices to improve the performance. Even though some children were not able to perform at the first time, coach constantly encouraged them.

In case a mistake was made, the coach strived to explain how to correct the situation and improve skills. Children were looking at coach to find any sign of approval and disapproval of their actions. In response, the coach was trying to react to each of the children’s actions and improvements to make them sure that they were making progress. At the same time, the coach told children to concentrate on the drilling and practicing of every movement rather than on constant seeking for his approval.

During the practice activities, both children were trying to follow teacher’s advice, but his remarks were effective only during the actual process of practicing, but not after the instructions had been given. Probably, most of the children gained a deeper understanding of the activity through personal experience.

After ten minutes of dribbling, children start improving their skills. Children successfully react to coach’s recommendations. However, the instructor did not interfere with the process frequently for children to realize their mistakes, or just get pleasure from the activities. Such an approach was efficient because it did not impose significant pressure on them because motor skills were still trained.

With regard to the observational experience, it should be stressed that children can successfully develop such motor skills as object control, stabilizing, and balance through performing simple practices such dribbling, bouncing the ball to the beat, and throwing balls to each other. While practicing, children paid attention to the instructor’s comments to make sure that they were performing the activities in the right way. Thus, they have successfully managed to develop motor behavior that can help them play basketball.