Pilot study: Perceived competence and goal setting in young children experiencing motor performance difficulties

Years of study: 1997 - 1998

This was a pilot study designed to develop and evaluate a methodology to

  • assist young children in assessing their competence in the performance of daily tasks and
  • set goals for therapy.

A central tenet of client-centred practice is the understanding of the client's priorities. It has often proven difficult for young children to express their ideas and as a result, therapy goals have been determined by parents, teachers and therapists. Using the All About Me (Missiuna, 1997), a pictorial scale designed to measure perceived self-competence, children were asked to select goals based on the answers given on this measure. A sample of 40 children between 5 and 8 years of age drawn from occupational therapy caseloads were assessed.

Impact

This study was instrumental in developing the PEGS outcome measure.

Project Update

"All About Me" was modified and improved to create the PEGS Outcome Measure, please consult: Missiuna, C., & Pollock, N. (2000). Perceived Efficacy and goal setting in young children. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67 (2): 101-109.

Funding Agency

McMaster School of Rehabilitation Science - $4,500 (1997-1998)