An Exploration of Early Childhood Education Students' Knowledge and Preparation to Facilitate Physical Activity for Preschoolers
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Early childhood educators play an important role in influencing preschoolers’ physical activity levels. The current study sought to explore Early Childhood Education (ECE) students’ physical activity (PA)-related knowledge and educational experience. A total of 1,113 ECE students from 20 Ontario Colleges completed the study survey (online or on paper), which examined students’ PA course content; awareness of PA guidelines; understanding of health-related benefits of PA; self-efficacy to facilitate PA for preschoolers; as well as PA resource needs. Survey results identified that 72.1% of ECE students had not completed any PA/physical education specific courses, while only 28.7% were familiar with, and 2.0% accurately reported, the Canadian PA Guidelines for the Early Years. ECE students’ mean self-efficacy to facilitate PA ranged from 6.0-7.0 (out of 10.0). The results indicate that the current ECE college curriculum represents an excellent opportunity to provide future childcare providers with enriched PA-related training and support.
Author: Olivia JM Martyniuk
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2165739303