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The Role of Local Leaders in the Implementation of Adult-Initiated Motor Skill Development and Physical Activity in Preschool—A Case Study

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  • Trine Top Klein-Wengel

    (Research Unit for Active Living, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

  • Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen

    (Research Unit for Active Living, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
    Research and Implementation Centre for Human Movement and Learning, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

  • Søren Smedegaard

    (Research and Implementation Centre for Human Movement and Learning, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
    University College Lillebaelt, UCL Campus Odense, Niels Bohrs Allé 1, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

  • Thomas Skovgaard

    (Research Unit for Active Living, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
    Research and Implementation Centre for Human Movement and Learning, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

Abstract

Good motor skills (MS) and physical activity (PA) are considered important for children’s physical, social, and psychological development. The Motor skills in PreSchool (MiPS) study-Denmark aimed to optimize children’s MS through weekly PA sessions. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of local preschool leaders and their strategies in influencing the implementation of MiPS into daily practice. Leaders from all seven preschools in the project were interviewed. The results show that preschool leaders used communication (setting an agenda and dedicating speaking time to address the program at staff meetings) and reflective questioning about the pedagogic staff’s current practice in relation to the program (adding focus on MS and PA) as their main course of action. Through this form of communication and reflective questioning, the preschool leaders aimed to involve the staff and heighten their sensemaking in the existing practice while also ensuring that the implementation of the program was kept in progress. In sum, future implementation of an MS and PA initiative in preschools should put emphasis on a shared responsibility between leaders and staff combined with an adaptive approach in which the existing practice is reshaped rather than just increasing the workload of the pedagogic staff.

Suggested Citation

  • Trine Top Klein-Wengel & Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen & Søren Smedegaard & Thomas Skovgaard, 2021. "The Role of Local Leaders in the Implementation of Adult-Initiated Motor Skill Development and Physical Activity in Preschool—A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13119-:d:700776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Howie, Erin K. & Brewer, Alisa E. & Brown, William H. & Saunders, Ruth P. & Pate, Russell R., 2016. "Systematic dissemination of a preschool physical activity intervention to the control preschools," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1-7.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen & Thomas Skovgaard & Trine Top Klein-Wengel & Jens Troelsen, 2022. "In It for the Long Haul: RE-AIM Evaluation of a Preschool Programme Implementing and Maintaining Adult-Initiated Motor Skill Development and Physical Activity across a Two-Year Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, February.

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