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The Influence of Kindergarten Environment on the Development of Preschool Children’s Physical Fitness

Author

Listed:
  • Alice Haav

    (National Institute for Health Development, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Leila Oja

    (National Institute for Health Development, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Jaanika Piksööt

    (National Institute for Health Development, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

The aim of this research is to find out to what extent the special qualifications of physical education teachers and the physical environment of kindergartens influence the physical development of preschoolers. Forty-four kindergartens across Estonia participated in the study, half of which had a physical education teacher (PEt), whereas the remaining 22 kindergartens were taught by non-qualified kindergarten teachers (NoPEt). Six Eurofit fitness tests were used to assess the physical development of children ( n = 704; aged 6–7 years old, with an average age of 6.55 ± 0.5 years). An analysis of variance was used to compare the mean values of the fitness test results of the two groups. Linear regression analysis was applied to clarify the influence of individual and environmental factors on children’s fitness scores. In kindergartens where the position of a PEt had been created, the results of children’s physical fitness were statistically significantly better, more specifically in handgrip strength (m = 12.0, 95% CI = 11.8–12.3 vs. m = 11.5, 95% CI = 11.2–11.7) and in speed tests (m = 23.0, 95% CI = 22.8–23.2 vs. m = 23.6, 95% CI = 23.3–23.8). According to the teacher interviews, these kindergartens also had more rooms and areas specially created for physical exercises. The study revealed that the physical development of children is, when controlling for other individual and environmental factors, influenced by the professional qualification of the PE teacher (95% CI = 0.06–0.56) as well as children’s participation in sports training (95% CI = 0.29–0.83). These findings are important for preschool institutions and municipalities in designing the optimal physical environment for facilitating children’s physical fitness.

Suggested Citation

  • Alice Haav & Leila Oja & Jaanika Piksööt, 2024. "The Influence of Kindergarten Environment on the Development of Preschool Children’s Physical Fitness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-12, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:761-:d:1413141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Boris Popović & Milan Cvetković & Draženka Mačak & Tijana Šćepanović & Nebojša Čokorilo & Aleksandra Belić & Nebojša Trajković & Slobodan Andrašić & Špela Bogataj, 2020. "Nine Months of a Structured Multisport Program Improve Physical Fitness in Preschool Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Guangxu Wang & Dan Zeng & Shikun Zhang & Yingying Hao & Danqing Zhang & Yang Liu, 2023. "The Effect of Different Physical Exercise Programs on Physical Fitness among Preschool Children: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, February.
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