Abstract: The paper depends on literature to compare the preschool learning standards on physical education and health of China with that of a few advanced western countries from the perspective of motor development, based on which it comes up with some suggestions for the reform and development of Chinese preschool physical education. Studies show that, in advanced western countries, motor development is taken as the primary objective of preschool health and physical education and applied systematically in practice. Motor development is now also listed in learning standards for Chinese children, yet it is still confused with physical health. This paper suggests that China should balance motor development and physical health objectives and apply motor development practices in a systematic fashion, while integrating contents of cognitive, emotional and social development education so as to realize a well-rounded system of education objectives.

Key words: motor development, preschool children, physical education and health, learning standards, comparative analysis