Dr. Kip Webster named Fulbright Scholar, bringing motor development research across the world
December 2017
Fundamental motor skills are an essential component of early childhood development and are related to lifelong physical activity and health behaviors. LSU School of Kinesiology’s Dr. Elizabeth “Kip” Webster is a top specialist in physical activity behaviors and motor skill competency in pediatric populations. As a reflection of her expertise, she traveled to the Czech Republic as a Fulbright Scholar in November 2017.
“I am very honored to have the opportunity to work as a Fulbright Scholar with the Faculty of Education at Palacký University,” Webster said. “This is a great opportunity to share my research on early childhood motor development and physical activity with a distinguished group of researchers who share similar research interests and goals.”
The Fulbright Specialist Program, a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is a unique opportunity for U.S. academics and established professionals to engage in two- to six-week consultancies at host institutions across the globe.
“Fulbright Specialists are described as a diverse group of highly experienced, well-established faculty members and professionals who represent a wide variety of academic disciplines and professions. In order to be eligible to serve as a Fulbright Specialist, candidates must have significant experience in their respective professional field” (https://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/fulbright-specialist-program).
Webster spent 16 days in Olomouc, Czech Republic giving two oral presentations, three practical lessons for students and visiting primary schools in the area. The Department of Primary and Preprimary Education in the Faculty of Education at Palacký University in Olomouc also arranged round-table discussions. The topics focused on exchanging experiences in the field of education as well as future work related to primary and pre-primary teachers of physical education Additionally, she worked with graduate students and researchers on the Test of Gross Motor Development – 3rd edition. A fundamental motor skill assessment that systematically analyzes a variety of skills children typically learn and develop in early childhood.
“I believe this is a great opportunity for collaboration between Louisiana State University’s School of Kinesiology and Palacký University’s Department of Primary and Pre-Primary Education. Moving forward, examining these important areas of research from a global perspective has the potential for gaining a better understanding of cross-cultural differences in motor development and increasing knowledge on programming that may effectively change health behavior in diverse groups of children,” said Webster.
This article was adapted from a story by LSU’s School of Kinesiology. For the full story, please visit http://www.lsu.edu/chse/kinesiology/kin-news/webster_fulbright.php.