Structured Observations of Child Behaviors during a Mastery-Motivational Climate Motor Skill Intervention: An Exploratory Study

This exploratory study aimed to quantify children’s engagement behaviors during a mastery-motivational climate intervention. We also completed an exploratory factor analysis to elucidate if child engagement changed across intervention sessions. Method: 35 children (17 boys; 18 girls) completed a 10-week mastery-motivational climate motor skill intervention. Engagement was operationalized as the time children were appropriately involved in the intervention and was assessed using momentary time sampling during the motor skill practice portion of the intervention. Results: Overall, children were engaged 36% of the motor skills practice time (37% for boys; 36% for girls). Children who initially had below-average skills engaged for 36% (36% for boys; 35% for girls) of the motor skills practice time, and children who were average or above-average at the start of the intervention engaged in skill practice for 39% (39% for boys; 36% for girls). Differences in engagement in skill type (e.g., locomotor vs. ball skills) and trends over time were observed. Conclusion: These findings support that children engage in mastery-motivation climates, but the amount of participation may be influenced by individual factors of sex and initial skill level.