Factors affecting delays in motor development in children aged 3-6 years: a literature review

Cokorda Istri Mirah Saraswati (Bachelor and Professional Program of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Bali, Indonesia)
Indah Pramita (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Bali, Indonesia)
Anak Agung Gede Angga Puspa Negara (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Bali, Indonesia)

Kinesiology and Physiotherapy Comprehensive
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2025): Volume 4 No. 3 December 2025

Background: The age range of 3–6 years represents a critical period of rapid motor and cognitive development. However, some children experience motor developmental delays due to multiple interacting factors. Methods: This literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases with the keywords developmental delay, motor skills, and preschool children. From an initial 50 articles, five studies that met the inclusion criteria (children aged 3–6 years, observational design, and assessment of motor delay factors) were selected for in-depth review. Results: The analysis identified four main categories of factors associated with motor developmental delays in early childhood: biological, social, psychological, and environmental. Among these, authoritarian parenting style and poor nutritional status were the most dominant determinants. Conclusion: Motor developmental delays in preschool children are multifactorial and strongly influenced by biological and psychosocial conditions. Early identification of risk factors, especially parenting style and nutritional status, is essential for effective prevention and intervention strategies.