Motor learning in children: feedback after good trials increases learning?

Abstract

Recent studies (Chiviacowsky & Wulf, 2007) have shown that learning is in fact beneficial in adults if feedback is supplied to learners after "good" trials instead of after "bad" trials. The current study made an attempt to examine if the same effect can be observed in children. Forty children were selected. The participants practiced a task of throwing bean bags at a target, using the non-dominant hand, without seeing the target during the throws. All of the participants received knowledge of result (KR) with a 50% frequency, or in three trials in each block of six trials. While KR was supplied to one group for the three most effective trials of each block, KR were supplied for the three less effective trial of each block in the other group. The analysis of the data was accomplished through ANOVA, using the SPSS statistical package. Significant differences were not verified among the groups in the retention phase, disagreeing with the results found in adults.