Development, feasibility, and acceptability of a screening resource to assess mild motor delay in 4-year-old children: a mixed methods study

Early childhood educators may screen for mild motor delay in 4-year-old children but require appropriate resources. This study developed and evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of an instructional resource designed for educators to screen mild motor delay. An explorative sequential mixed methods study was used to co-design an instructional resource through focus groups with early childhood educators, then pilot test and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the instructional resource using a survey. Two focus groups guided the development of the instructional resource, a website, and manual. Eighteen educators assessed 18 children using the resources. There was good concordance in scores between educators and physiotherapist (Bland-Altman: Mdiff = −0.5, limits = −3.5 to 2.5). Educators ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ on the instructional resources’ ethicality (90%), efficiency (75%), liked its use (75%), and believed it achieved its intended purpose (70%). These findings suggest that the instructional resource is feasible and acceptable.