Construction and application of coordination ability evaluation tool for children aged 4–5.9 years old

Background: Coordination ability is a critical component influencing children's basic motor skills and participation in physical activities. Positive experiences formed during early movement practice are essential for lifelong health. Purpose: This study aimed to scientifically construct a systematic and user-friendly evaluation tool for assessing coordination ability in children aged 4.0-5.9 years, thereby enhancing understanding and promoting targeted development in family and kindergarten activities. Methods: The evaluation indicators were determined through literature review, structured expert interviews, expert interviews, and the Delphi method. Sixteen cities in Shandong Province were sampled using a stratified random cluster sampling approach. A total of 1,068 valid samples were obtained (530 children aged 4.0-4.9 years and 538 children aged 5.0-5.9 years). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to test model validity. Results: The structural model of coordination ability demonstrated good fit indices. Coordination ability was found to consist of six key dimensions: balance, spatial orientation, rhythm, perceptual judgment, limb coordination, and limb movement range. Evaluation criteria for both 4- and 5-year-old groups were established. Girls exhibited higher overall coordination scores than boys. Boys in the 4-year-old group showed superior perceptual and judgment ability, while boys in the 5-year-old group performed better in perceptual judgment and spatial orientation. Conclusion: (1) The constructed evaluation tool accurately reflects children's coordination development. (2) The established single and composite scoring criteria effectively distinguish coordination levels among children aged 4-5.9 years. (3) Gender differences exist, with girls generally outperforming boys, though developmental asynchrony is evident across coordination components.