P02-277 - Link Between Physical Education and Language Acquisition in Childhood

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the possible implication of physical education in the process of hemispheric lateralization in childhood, and behind this in the acquisition of the speech and hand writing language.

Method

The present study was taken on 116 pupils (av. = 6.4 yrs). Our goal was to emphasize if the ball games can play any role in the finalization of cerebral dominance. Using three tests of psychomotricity i.e. Tapping test, String test and Matorin test, we selected 18 ambidextrous pupils. Ten of them have a slightly greater performance of the right hand. These pupils were separated in two sample-groups:

• Sample I: 5 pupils involved in a regularly ball-games-program

• Sample II: 5 pupils who did not practice this program

Results

This research has shown that children from sample I presented a greater performance and skill in achieving the speech and the hand writing language.

Conclusions

In a previous reported study we observed a comparable influence regarding performance and skill in achieving the speech and the hand writing language at pupils with borderline IQ. In this study the pupils performed a score between 89 and 120 at WPPSI III (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence).

We conclude that it may be taking in account the influence of these kinds of practice to influence the acquisition of the speech and hand writing language.