A descriptive-comparative study to analyse physical activity levels and patterns during structured movement sessions in early childhood education: special focus on the role of teachers

Abstract

Because teacher behaviour and children’s gender are correlates of young children’s physical activity during structured movement sessions in early years, teachers should develop effective teaching strategies to promote physical activity, with a special focus on girls. Following a descriptive-comparative study, the aims of this research were: (a) to analyse the physical activity levels and patterns during two structured movement sessions under the framework of experiential psychomotricity using accelerometry and direct observation methods; (b) to evaluate the impact of a formalised short intervention that focuses on physical activity during structured movement sessions; and (c) to explore young children’s experience of movement during both sessions using drawings. Our major findings were as follows: (a) the intervention had a positive impact on the physical activity levels and patterns in young girls during a structured movement session; (b) the teacher’s active role during sessions could have a positive impact on the physical activity levels favouring more diverse group compositions, especially with the girls; (c) the graphic representation act as a source of knowledge that help both the teacher and the child to make sense of their movement experience. Our results are useful for understanding how the teacher’s role during experiential psychomotricity could promote physical activity in young children.