Psychomotor Evaluation between School Children of Public and Private Schools from João Pessoa - Paraíba - Brazil

Abstract

SUMMARY Objective: To evaluate the psychomotor performance of school children from both public and private schools, observing deficits according to gender, age, school type and psychomotor variables. Material and Methods: The sample included 400 children from 6 to 10 years of age, of both genders, from 3 public and 6 private schools located in João Pessoa-PB, Brazil, with 200 children from each school type, evaluated through the Psychomotor Exam of Picq and Vayer adapted by Linares. The statistical analysis was carried out with the Statistical Package for the Social Science software, utilizing the Chi-square test and the “r” of Pearson. Results: Of the total sample of children, 75.0% presented a psychomotor deficit in at least one variable, with the highest rate of children with unsatisfactory performance in the public schools (p<0,01). Conclusion: The results indicate that the evaluated children, especially those from public schools, need directed psychomotor stimulation and suggest the necessity for early intervention in order to prevent delays and distortions of development. DESCRIPTORS Psychomotor performance. Child development. Schools.