Kindergarten teachers' views about the importance of preschoolers' participation in sports in Singapore

Abstract

Children's involvement in sports develops their diverse lifelong skills in the physical (a positive attitude toward healthy lifestyle), cognitive, emotional and social domains. Children enjoy a day out in the open, enjoying the free space, the wind in their hair, the smells that stimulate their senses, the touch of different and new things to be discovered in an enriched outdoor environment. Central to the success of promoting preschooler involvement in sports are the roles that teachers and kindergartens play. This study investigated the views of teachers and preschooler participation in sport; the teachers' views of their kindergartens, the community, parents in relation to preschoolers' participation in sports. In addition, the study also questioned teacher's awareness and use of available resources in their kindergartens and the community. The results showed that, in general, teachers, the kindergartens, children's parents and the community are supportive of preschoolers' participation in sports. There appears, however, to be a lack of kindergarten teacher awareness and usage of resources within the community. Promoting preschooler involvement in sports involving multiple levels of organization and clear communication between sports agencies and local kindergartens are recommended.