ERIC Number: EJ1024469
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0957-5146
EISSN: N/A
Children's Physical Activity in Day Care and Preschool
Reunamo, Jyrki; Hakala, Liisa; Saros, Leila; Lehto, Satu; Kyhälä, Anna-Liisa; Valtonen, Juha
Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development, v34 n1 p32-48 2014
The purpose of the study was to investigate the dynamics of physical activity (PA) in day care and preschool. The participants were 823 Finnish 1-7-year-old children from 50 day care centres and preschools. The research methods were systematic observation, evaluation of children's skills and interviews with children. Altogether 18,366 observations were collected. Vygotsky's concept of the "zone of proximal development" is redefined in relation to PA. The results of the study show that environmental factors, and specifically peers, do indeed play a significant role in enhancing PA among children. There are cogent reasons for paying more attention to the dynamics of children's PA. Furthermore, there is reason to ponder extensively how to provide opportunities for PA and, more precisely, the development of motor competence in the day care and preschool context.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Preschool Children, Child Care Centers, Interviews, Skill Development, Physical Activities, Environmental Influences, Peer Influence, Physical Activity Level, Peer Relationship, Child Development, Statistical Analysis, Play, Outdoor Education, Eating Habits, Psychomotor Skills, Student Characteristics, Observation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A