Juegos tradicionales para el fortalecimiento de las habilidades motoras gruesas en la primera infancia

Abstract

The research project entitled “Traditional Games for Strengthening Gross Motor Skills in Early Childhood” aimed to analyze how traditional games strengthen the development of gross motor skills in first-grade students. The study is based on the theoretical framework of Lewin (1946), who proposes research as a cycle of social change, and on his contributions regarding the importance of psychomotor organization in formal learning. Methodologically, the project was developed using the Pedagogical Action Research (PAR) approach, which integrates reflection and transformation of teaching practice. The study population consisted of 18 first-grade boys and girls with whom a didactic sequence of ten lesson plans was implemented, focusing on the development of motor skills. Data collection techniques included participant observation, field notes, and checklists to evaluate motor performance before and after the intervention. The main findings demonstrate that the systematic implementation of games such as hopscotch, sack races, and jump rope not only optimizes balance, coordination, and explosive strength, but also significantly improves attention and social interaction in the classroom. It was shown that traditional games act as an effective pedagogical mediator, linking cultural identity with neurophysical development. In conclusion, participatory action research (PAR) allows teachers to transform the schoolyard into a holistic learning environment, where strengthening gross motor skills becomes the necessary foundation for the success of higher-order cognitive processes in early childhood.