Fine motor skills on Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency (Short form) in children aged between 4½ and 8½ years

The aim of the study was to establish normative scores for fine motor skills in children aged between 4 ½ - 8 ½ years using Bruininks - Oseretsky test of motor proficiency (short form) (BOTMP (SF)). 400 normal children were selected from schools in Manipal (Karnataka) and Ludhiana (Punjab). They were divided into 4 age groups (4 ½ < 5 ½ years, 5 ½ < 6 ½years, 6 ½ < 7 ½ years, 7½ < 8½ years), 50 boys and 50 girls in each group. BOTMP (SF) was administered to each child to assess response speed, visuomotor control and upper limb speed and dexterity subtests of fine motor component. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics to establish normative scores. BOTMP (SF) demonstrated a linear increase in scores with age. Analysis of the data also highlighted the gender variation in scores of visuomotor and upper limb speed and dexterity subtests. The established normative scores can be used as a reference for identification of children with deficits in fine motor skills and will pave the way for the teachers, clinicians and researchers in quick evaluation, treatment and planning of treatment program for such children.