Preface

The course "Acquiring Motor Skills" represents a fundamental component within the second-year Master's program. Its aim is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and theories related to motor learning and skill acquisition across different stages of human development. This course combines a scientific approach that merges theoretical foundations with practical applications in the field of motor learning.

The course begins with a conceptual introduction to motor learning and motor skill acquisition, emphasizing the clarification of key terms and concepts related to this field. This foundation paves the way for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to individuals' acquisition of motor skills.

The focus then shifts to the preschool stage, examining the motor development of children during this crucial period and the factors that influence their acquisition of motor skills. The course also explores motor education as a means of developing motor skills in children, addressing motor learning difficulties that they may encounter and how to address these issues using scientific and educational strategies.

Regarding middle and late childhood, the course addresses the motor and developmental changes that children undergo during this stage, with a focus on studying the factors influencing motor skill acquisition, including biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

The course also covers theories of motor learning, which form the basis for understanding how individuals learn motor skills, as well as the fundamentals of motor learning that provide the practical framework for applying these theories in different learning and training environments.

Feedback and its role in motor learning are central themes in this course, highlighting how to use feedback effectively to improve motor performance and enhance skill acquisition.

The course expands to include the study of motor control, analyzing the neural and muscular processes that contribute to movement control and the production of effective motor performance. It also covers the classification of motor skills based on their characteristics and dynamics, contributing to a deeper understanding of the various motor patterns.

Finally, the course focuses on measuring gross and fine motor skills using modern tools and techniques, enabling students to assess motor performance with precision and develop effective strategies for improvement.