Advances in Physical Education, 2017, 7, 10-26 http://www.scirp.org/journal/ape ISSN Online: 2164-0408 ISSN Print: 2164-0386 DOI: 10.4236/ape.2017.71002 February 9, 2017 Literature Review on Motor Skill and Physical Activity in Preschool Children in New Zealand Ajmol Ali 1* , Deborah Pigou 1,2 , Linda Clarke 3 , Claire McLachlan 3,4 1 School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand 2 Harbour Sport, North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand 3 Institute of Education, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand 4 Faculty of Education, Te Hononga School of Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand Abstract Children’s physical activity levels have decreased significantly over the past 20 - 30 years, coinciding with obesity rates reaching epidemic levels. There is little research into typically developing preschool (birth to 5 year-olds) child- ren’s physical activity, with the majority of research focusing on children at risk of motor skill or neurological deficiencies. This review examines current research into young children’s development, especially motor development and physical activity, the effectiveness of intervention programmes for pro- moting children’s physical development and the various methods used to as- sess physical development. A decrease in children’s physical activity levels has coincided with an increase in obesity rates. Further research is needed to de- termine culturally and contextually appropriate and effective interventions for preschool children. Areas for further research include preschool children’s physical activity, particularly in regards to movement guidelines and require- ments for this age-group and ways to overcome potential barriers to meeting physical activity requirements. Young children’s physical activity and motor skill proficiency may be an important predictor of later-life physically active behaviors. Physical literacy and physical activity interventions within early childhood education could potentially support academic skills as well as phy- sical skills and behaviors. Keywords Physical Literacy, Physical Activity, Physical Education, Motor Skill Development, Cognitive Development, Safety Skills 1. Introduction Over the last 20 - 30 years, children’s activity levels have decreased significantly, How to cite this paper: Ali, A., Pigou, D., Clarke, L., & McLachlan, C. (2017). Litera- ture Review on Motor Skill and Physical Activity in Preschool Children in New Zea- land. Advances in Physical Education, 7, 10- 26. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2017.71002 Received: December 22, 2016 Accepted: February 6, 2017 Published: February 9, 2017 Copyright © 2017 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access