Parental Parenting Styles and Gross and Fine Motor Development in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Abstract

Background: Parental parenting style influences the quality of motor stimulation that supports gross and fine motor development in preschool children. However, evidence from rural Indonesian preschool settings remains limited.
Objective: To examine the association between parental parenting styles and gross and fine motor development among preschool children.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January to February 2024 at TK Negeri 05 Mentari Nangahale, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Total sampling yielded 31 parent–child pairs. Parenting styles were assessed using an adapted structured questionnaire with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82). Children’s motor development was evaluated using a KPSP-based motor development checklist. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test (α = 0.05), and effect size was calculated using Phi/Cramer’s V.
Results: Democratic parenting was predominant, with 68% classified as very good and 32% as good. A significant association was found between parenting style and motor development (χ² = 10.94, df = 1, p = 0.001). Children exposed to democratic parenting predominantly showed age-appropriate motor development (95.2%), whereas authoritarian parenting was associated with a higher prevalence of developmental delay (60.0%). The association was strong (Phi/Cramer’s V = 0.62).
Conclusion: Parental parenting style is significantly associated with preschool children’s gross and fine motor development. Democratic parenting is linked to more favorable motor outcomes, supporting the role of physiotherapist-led parental education to enhance home-based motor stimulation and prevent early motor delays.