Effects of program of aquatic exercises for the development of the psicomotricidads in childrens of 1 to 2 years (Original)

Abstract

The aquatic environment is ideal for psychomotor stimulation activities with infants. The objective was: To develop psychomotor skills with children from 1 to 2 years of age from the Puerto Cumbia de Soledad-Atlántico Residential Complex through a program of aquatic exercises. It was an applied research, with a quantitative approach and a quasi-experimental design, in which 6 children participated. Initially, a Simplified Comprehensive Development Assessment Scale (ESEDI) was applied, focused on psychomotor skills; Regarding the most important results, deficiencies in gross motor skills were found in 3 children, fine motor skills in 5 and cognitive area in 2. Based on the diagnostic assessment, the program was designed and implemented in 12 sessions including activities such as: breathing exercises and apnea, floating body positions, aquatic movements with motor variables, manipulation of toys on the surface and underwater, among others; It should be noted that none of the children knew how to swim, in some activities the parents participated in the water. At the end of the program, the ESEDI was applied again, the results indicated improvements for gross motor skills in 2 children, fine motor skills in 4 and the cognitive area in 2. In conclusion, the aquatic exercise program generated positive effects in the motor area and cognitive, notably in the components related to gait, eye-hand coordination, manipulation skills, and body schema. In other areas that the ESEDI assesses, such as language and habits, no significant changes were found.