Fundamental Movement Skills in Hong Kong Kindergartens: A Grade-Level Analysis

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic that forms the basis of the research is a topic that we have encountered quite often in the literature in recent years (even covering the year 2024). It is especially curious that these studies are related to the Hong Kong country covering the sample group. The FMS skills related to the age level indicated in the study have been studied by many researchers. It is stated that there is no research related to FMS in the research objectives section, but apart from the past years, there are both the same universe-sample and FMS-related research between 2020-2024. For this reason, this ambitious sentence may be changed. The sample group is quite sufficient in terms of quantity. The table format should also be added to the information given under the Participants heading. This kind of demographic or numerical data is much more understandable in tabular form. It has been observed that the survey development steps are given in great detail. But; Has the control question been used? 1-2 control questions should be put, provided that they are limited. It is an important stage to ask the same question several times with other expressions to make sure. The pilot application can usually be applied to 20-30 people. 30 people were used in this research, it is enough. Ethical information is given in detail in the research. Perhaps the reference number from the institution can also be added. The study is a quantitative study. The title 'research method' is missing. By adding this heading, information should be given that quantitative method is used under this heading and quantitative method should be explained. See ''Research Design, by J. W. Creswell''.

The results start directly with the table. A small introductory sentence might sound nice. The fact that the discussion section was created in line with the goals given at the beginning of the research made it look quite regular. The results were given in the same way completely and the recommendations were given in both ways, both for the research itself and for the future in a multidimensional way. In particular, in the suggestions section, the harmony / incompatibility of the educational environment with the curriculum is emphasized. Is it only the programs that provide this contrast? Teacher training programs, in-service trainings, or the topics of providing need-oriented teaching, which are left to the teacher's freedom, are also among the topics that come to mind for readers in this contrast. The literature dominance is fine, but more space should be given to research after 2020. My recommendation is that research should be added after 2021. The English used in the text is very clear.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a very exciting manuscript, and the findings are timely, especially during this time when children are too busy with digital tools and not physically moving.  Strength and muscles need to be developed from an early age and parents sometimes also place children in front of televisions to keep them occupied.   I thoroughly enjoyed reading the arguments and findings in this manuscript.

The only changes that the author/s need to make are to remove the words ENTER FIGURE 1/2 HERE ; ENTER FIGURE 3 HERE;  ETC.

Congratulations on a well written article. 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Manuscript summary 

The paper delves into the significance of fundamental movement skills (FMS) for the overall development of children. The author(s) delineate the three primary categories of FMS, which are locomotor skills, body management, and object control skills, and expound on the advantages of physical activity for children's development. The author(s) based the exploration and investigation of FMS in kindergartens 1, 2, and 3 on the Kindergarten Education Curriculum, which encompasses physical fitness and health as a framework.

Reviewer comments:
 
Title, Abstract, and Introduction – overall evaluation
Outstanding. The abstract captures the readers' attention.

Literature review

Minor modification. The literature review is clear, relevant to the field, and presented in a well-structured manner. One aspect to consider is that music and creativity have traditionally not been associated with whole child development. It is crucial for children to interact with music in different ways, including listening, singing, playing, creating, and moving, in order to derive maximum benefits from it. Additionally, children develop their musical abilities at their own pace. I believe that enhancing this paper by demonstrating how music and creativity are linked to the key aspects of FMS would make it more impactful. This can align with research question 2 relative to investigating the association between FMS and frequency of use in classrooms.

Methodology / Materials and Methods – overall evaluation
Scientifically sound. The survey design is appropriate to answer the research questions.

Results/Data Analysis– overall evaluation
Sound. The manuscript’s data analysis is clearly explained and well-structured. Likewise, the results are reproducible based on the details given in the methods section.

Figures/Tables – overall evaluation
Sound.  The tables and figures in the manuscript are well-suited for presenting the data and are easy to interpret. The author(s) consistently and accurately interpreted the data while aligning the research questions with the presentation of the tables and figures.

Interpretation / Discussion – overall evaluation
Minor modification. The author(s) made an inference to music and movement activities but did not present a clear consistent argument for music and movement throughout the manuscript, particularly in the literature review sections.

Conclusions – overall evaluation
Minor modification. Statements in the conclusion are coherent and supported by the listed citations. As previously noted, including a clear consistent argument for music and movement relative to FMS can demonstrate how music and creativity are linked to the key aspects of FMS.

Compliance with Ethical Standards – overall evaluation
Outstanding. The study obtained approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the authors’ University. Information about the research study and a consent form were then sent to participants.

 References – overall evaluation

Sound. Cited references are mostly recent publications (within the last 5 years) and relevant.

Writing – overall evaluation
 Outstanding

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf