SUNRISE ACTIVITIES

The activities in the SUNRISE study are designed to be engaging and fun for preschoolers while providing researchers with important insights into how they complete these tasks, measuring cognitive, gross and fine motor skills. See descriptions of the assessments below. 

HEIGHT

The SUNRISE study is designed to collect data on preschoolers from around the world. Height is measured in centimeters (cm). Tools shown in the photo above are included in the equipment bag for virtual visits. During in-person visits at childcare centers, SUNRISE team members will measure height with a stadiometer. 

WEIGHT

Children are weighed on a standard digital scale. Their weight is recorded in kilograms (kg). 

IPAD GAME #1

The SUNRISE study measures cognitive function with two iPad games for preschoolers. EYT Mr Ant (shown above) is a type of memory game where the child tries to recall the location of colored dots on Mr. Ant's body. 

IPAD GAME #2

In the second iPad game, EYT Go/NoGo, the child tries to "catch" all of the fish that swim across the screen while avoiding touching the shark when it appears. 

PEGBOARD TEST

A timed activity, the pegboard test measures fine motor skills one hand at a time. Using one hand to pick up pegs and the other to keep the board in place, the child moves the pegs from the bowl to the holes and then returns them to the bowl as fast as they can. The child completes a practice trial before the test round. Watch the demonstration video to see how it is done. 

ONE-LEG STANDING
BALANCE TEST

In this gross motor skills test, the child stands on each leg for as long as possible, holding the other leg in the air and using their arms to help them balance. 

TIMED SUPINE
STAND UP AND GO

Starting with the child laying flat on their back, they are timed to measure how many seconds it takes to stand up, run to a target about 10 feet away and then run back past the line. This test can be conducted indoors or outdoors.

STANDING LONG JUMP

This test measures how far a child can jump with both feet from the starting line from a standing position.

ACCELEROMETER

To capture data on a preschooler's physical, sedentary and sleep activity, they wear an activity belt called an accelerometer for five days after completing the other activities. Both parents and kids can help keep track of the child's activity during this period of time. 

HAND GRIP STRENGTH

The device, called a dynamometer, measures a child's hand grip strength. They simply hold the device with their hand and squeeze the handle as hard and for as long as they can.