Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2025): Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research

Fun game–based learning improves gross motor skills in early primary school children

Darussalam, Ahmad Muttaqin (Unknown)
Sugiharto, Sugiharto (Unknown)
Adi, Sapto (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background: Children who face difficulties in gross motor skill development may withdraw from physical activities, experience low self-esteem, and suffer from social anxiety. Physical education plays a vital role in fostering gross motor development, especially when delivered through enjoyable and engaging activities such as fun games. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of fun game–based learning on the development of gross motor skills in early primary school children. Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group. A total of 36 second-grade students from SDIT Mutiara Hati in Malang participated in this study. Participants were assigned to one of three groups: a control group, a group-based fun games intervention, and an individual-based fun games intervention. The interventions were implemented three times a week for 30 minutes over a period of seven weeks. Gross motor skills were measured before and after the intervention using the Test of Gross Motor Development–Third Edition (TGMD-3), a reliable and validated instrument. Data were analyzed using homogeneity and normality tests, paired-sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD post hoc tests, with a significance level set at p < 0.05 (SPSS version 25). Results: Both the individual and group fun game–based learning interventions produced significant improvements in gross motor skills compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant difference was found between the two intervention types, indicating that the mode of fun game delivery influences outcomes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Fun game–based learning, whether delivered individually or in groups, effectively enhances gross motor skills among early primary school children. Additionally, individual fun game–based learning demonstrated a significantly greater improvement compared to group-based learning.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

pes

Publisher

Subject

Education

Description

The Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research is an international peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research papers and reviews the fields of physical education, physical rehabilitation, and sports training. Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research published two ...