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Key research themes
1. How does a Dynamic Systems Approach explain the refinement of reaching movements during mid-childhood?
This research theme focuses on applying the Dynamic Systems Approach (DSA) to understand the developmental changes in goal-directed reaching movements in children aged 6 to 10 years. It addresses how intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as joint coordination, posture, body proportions, sensory integration, and cognitive processes dynamically interact and contribute to the non-linear refinement and variability observed in mid-childhood motor skill development.
Key finding: This paper demonstrates that mid-childhood reaching development is characterized by complex, non-monotonic trends in movement variables such as movement time and accuracy, challenging simplistic linear developmental models.... Read more
Key finding: Although primarily focusing on movement education methodology, this work supports the notion that movement performance optimization arises from the dynamic interaction of subsystems within a system, consistent with DSA... Read more
Key finding: This study identifies movement motivation as a critical functional factor influencing motor skill development, supporting DSA’s emphasis on the interaction of individual internal factors with the environment. It establishes a... Read more
Key finding: Through a phenomenological lens emphasizing movement as relational and expressive, this article aligns with the DSA view by illustrating how children with motor disabilities engage dynamically with their environments and... Read more
Turning Points: A Radical Approach to Fostering Movement in Children with Diverse Physical Abilities
Key finding: This theoretical work challenges dichotomous views of movement ability by conceptualizing movement as emerging from complex relational and ecological systems, consistent with DSA principles. It underscores the... Read more
2. What are effective strategies for integrating movement into early childhood education to promote motor and cognitive development?
This theme explores how early childhood educational settings can incorporate structured physical activity and movement integration methodologies to enhance fundamental motor skills, academic performance, and overall developmental outcomes. It examines stakeholder engagement, program design, the role of play, and evidence-based movement interventions to optimize physical activity levels among young children and link these to cognitive and psychosocial benefits.
Key finding: This study identifies key facilitators and barriers in implementing WHO-endorsed 24-hour movement guidelines within Hong Kong early childhood education settings. Through mixed methods involving teachers, parents, and... Read more
Key finding: By integrating movement into academic content via play-based active methodologies, this intervention significantly increased moderate to vigorous physical activity among 3 to 4-year-old children during school hours. The... Read more
Key finding: This research demonstrates that a structured developmental movement program for Grade 1 learners yields statistically significant improvements in spatial awareness, reading, and mathematics compared to control groups. The... Read more
3. How do conceptualizations and models of developmental processes influence the understanding and practice of ‘development’ in social and educational contexts?
This theme investigates the diverse theoretical perspectives on development—including developmentalism, developmental psychology, social movement theory, and movement in education—and examines their implications on policy, practice, and pedagogy. It contrasts models that view development as linear, inevitable unfolding versus those emphasizing agency, empowerment, and context-dependent transformation, thus highlighting the multidimensional nature of developmental concepts across disciplines.
Key finding: This paper outlines key economic development theories, including Balanced and Unbalanced Growth, Rostow's Growth Model, and Dependency Theory, offering a critical examination of their assumptions, mechanisms, and policy... Read more
Key finding: This article emphasizes the importance of vertical development—transformative changes in meaning-making systems and cognitive complexity—in contrast to lateral development (skill acquisition) within adult growth frameworks.... Read more
Key finding: This paper introduces the distinction between 'frozen' and 'developmental' social movements to explain dynamics in co-operative development, arguing that renewal and democratic vitality are critical for sustainable... Read more
Key finding: Through philosophical analysis, this chapter problematizes conventional conceptions of development as linear or externally shaped, advocating for a view of development as an emergent, unpredictable, and agency-rich process.... Read more
Key finding: This article traces the historical and ideological evolution of developmentalism, highlighting its cross-political successes and challenges. It critiques neoliberalism's sidelining of developmentalist strategies and... Read more