Diverse group of first-grade students in a vibrant physical education class, learning to throw with glowing focus indicators.

Unlock Your Child's Potential: Simple Tweaks to Skyrocket Learning in Physical Education

Rhea Morgan in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Is your child struggling to master basic motor skills? Research reveals the surprising impact of feedback and focus on young learners, and how you can make a difference."

In the world of physical education, it's easy to assume that what works for adults also works for children. But when it comes to learning new motor skills, young children have unique cognitive and developmental needs. This article explores a fascinating study that dives into how first graders learn physical activities, revealing practical insights for parents and educators alike.

The study, published in the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, examines the impact of attentional focus (internal vs. external) and feedback frequency on motor skill acquisition in young children. Forget rote memorization and repetition; this research highlights how simple adjustments to instruction and feedback can significantly boost a child's learning and performance.

Whether you're a parent wanting to support your child's physical development or an educator seeking to optimize your teaching methods, understanding these key principles can unlock your child's potential and foster a lifelong love of movement.

Decoding the Learning Process: Focus and Feedback in Action

Diverse group of first-grade students in a vibrant physical education class, learning to throw with glowing focus indicators.

The study involved 65 first-grade students who were taught an overhand throwing task. Researchers divided the children into four groups, each receiving a different combination of attentional focus and feedback frequency:

External-High: Focus on the effect of their movement with frequent feedback.

External-Low: Focus on the effect of their movement with infrequent feedback.|Internal-High: Focus on body movements with frequent feedback.|Internal-Low: Focus on body movements with infrequent feedback.

But what exactly does "attentional focus" mean? Internal focus refers to directing a child's attention to their own body movements (e.g., "arms out wide"). External focus, on the other hand, encourages them to concentrate on the effect of their movements on the environment (e.g., "make a 'T' with your arms"). This subtle difference can have a significant impact on learning.

The Takeaway: Empowering Young Learners Through Smarter Strategies

The study's key finding is that while all children improved, those receiving frequent feedback performed better, regardless of whether the focus was internal or external. This suggests that young children benefit from consistent reinforcement and guidance when learning new motor skills.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that internal focus may be more effective for this age group, contrary to findings with older children and adults. This highlights the need for age-appropriate teaching strategies that consider the cognitive development of young learners. Avoid abstract concepts and focus on concrete, relatable cues.

Ultimately, understanding how young children learn motor skills is critical for fostering a positive and effective physical education experience. By prioritizing frequent feedback and tailoring instruction to their cognitive abilities, parents and educators can unlock their potential and set them on a path toward a lifetime of physical activity.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1123/jtpe.2018-0080, Alternate LINK

Title: Attentional Focus And Feedback Frequency Among First Graders In Physical Education

Subject: Education

Journal: Journal of Teaching in Physical Education

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Authors: Laura J. Petranek, Nicole D. Bolter, Ken Bell

Published: 2019-01-29

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key findings about how first-graders learn physical skills, specifically related to feedback and focus?

The study in the *Journal of Teaching in Physical Education* suggests that when first-graders are learning new motor skills, frequent feedback tends to produce better results. Although attentional focus (whether internal or external) didn't matter as much, consistently providing reinforcement and guidance helped the children improve their skills in the overhand throwing task.

What exactly is 'attentional focus,' and how does it relate to learning motor skills?

Attentional focus refers to where a child directs their attention while learning a motor skill. Internal focus involves concentrating on their own body movements, like "arms out wide." External focus involves concentrating on the effect of their movements on the environment, such as "make a 'T' with your arms".

How was the study structured to investigate the effects of different types of focus and feedback?

The research divided first-grade students into four groups to study the impact of attentional focus and feedback frequency on learning an overhand throwing task. The groups were: External-High (focus on the effect of their movement with frequent feedback), External-Low (focus on the effect of their movement with infrequent feedback), Internal-High (focus on body movements with frequent feedback), and Internal-Low (focus on body movements with infrequent feedback).

Are there any limitations to the study's findings, such as the age group studied or the types of motor skills considered?

The study focused on first-grade students learning an overhand throwing task. Further studies could look into whether the same principles apply to older children or adults. The study does not address types of feedback, such as visual or kinesthetic.

What's the biggest takeaway for parents and educators looking to improve how children learn physical activities based on this study?

The core implication is that offering consistent, frequent feedback to young learners can substantially aid their motor skill development. The study also hints at the importance of how educators and parents can use attentional focus—whether internal or external—as a tool to help children understand and refine their physical movements, even though the frequency of feedback appears more impactful for first graders.