Preschool children's opportunities to be physically active in preschool education

Abstract

Session: Undervisning i förskola

Even though play should play a central role in Swedish preschool education, international quantitative research indicates that preschool children have a low activity level and sedentary behavior (Berglind, Hansson, Tynelius & Rasmussen, 2017). Analyzed observations exhibit children’s daily routines as accounted for 70 % of preschool children’s sedentary behavior (Kyhälä, Reunamo & Valtonen, 2021). The aim of the study is to contribute with knowledge on children’s opportunities to be physically active in preschool education. The study will use a ethnographic research design to investigate and represent children’s opportunities to be physically active in preschool education. Empirical data will be gathered in the preschool setting with participant and nonparticipant observational to acquire real-life setting of children’s physically active life in preschool. Unstructured interviews will be conducted with preschool children to collect their perceptions of movement and physical activity. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with preschool teachers to collect data of their approach to children’s movement and physical activity in preschool education. Empirical data will be coded and thematically analyzed with Cultural Historical Activity Theory (Engeström, 1987) to illustrate children’s opportunities to be physically active in preschool education. This study will make a contribute with knowledge on children’s real-life facilities to be physically active in preschool education. Perspective of both children and teachers in preschool are included.

References

Berglind, D., Hansson, L., Tynelius, P., & Rasmussen, F. (2017). Levels and Patterns of Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in 4-Year-Old Swedish Children. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, 14(2), 117-122. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2016-0250 

Engeström, Y. (1987). Learning by expanding : an activity-theoretical approach to developmental research. Orienta-konsultit.

Kyhala, A. L., Reunamo, J., & Valtonen, J. O. (2021). Children's time use and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in early childhood education and care in Finland. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, 11(1), Article a933. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v11i1.933