Teacher ’s perception of the relation between psychomotor abilities development and writing acquisition

Abstract

Background: Writing learning is extremely complex because it depends on the integrity of the central nervous system, associated to the development of cognitive, linguistics, psychological, psychomotor and social abilities. The majority of these aspects are privileged by the teacher in the daily classroom activities. Nevertheless, the same does not seem to happen with psychomotor abilities. Objective: This study had as its goal to evaluate the kindergarten and first grade teachers knowledge on the relation between psychomotor abilities and writing development. Methods: To reach that objective it was employed the case study method. Thirty-three teachers from initial children (primary) grades from four public schools and one from a private one, responded the questionary prepared for the research. Results:The data analysis demonstrated that the participants of this study did not show any knowledge about the relation between psychomotor function development and writing learning. There was no relation with the findings and aspects or details like: age, time since graduation, time of general or specific (on the grade they have been working with) teaching practice, having specialized graduation (or not) or been from a public or private school. Such data demonstrate that, at least within this population, the lack of knowledge of this issue is not related to a specific groups. Conclusion:Before that reality, it is suggested the need for inclusion in the curriculum of both (the undergraduate and graduate) courses of pedagogy (or education) the subject of psychomotricity. To the leading institutions (schools, city town halls, education offices) should offer further education courses aiming to upgrade the knowledge of the teachers about such important matter. Children will certainly benefit from it and be the most helped ones.