Abstract
There is currently limited evidence on parents’ and early childhood educators’ perspectives on implementing programs that combine cognitive and motor tasks in early childhood. An online survey was distributed across Australia through social network platforms and emails at preschool centres, asking 65 parents of preschool children and early childhood educators about their preferences on program delivery, duration, and mode. Responses from the survey were evaluated in order to develop and pilot a 4 week home-based (n = 5 parents) and a 6 week school-based program (n = 5 educators) including cognitively engaging physical activity, requesting parents’ and educators’ perspectives, respectively, about the program components. Results from the online survey showed a preference for programs with online (e.g., video-based) compared to traditional delivery (e.g., books), emphasising the potential benefits on children’s physical activity levels, sleep, and cognitive function. However, after piloting the program, educators preferred to use the book version instead of the video. This program has the potential to become part of daily regular practice. Barriers reported include logistics issues (i.e., book size), connectivity issues with internet, and the need for varying activities.
Highlights
This study showed that combing motor and cognitive tasks was positively perceived by early childhood educators and parents of preschool children, and is feasible to become regular part of daily practices
Children can benefit from the potential positive effects of physical activity on cognition, metacognition, academic achievement and mental health [50,51,52]
Combining motor and cognitive tasks could be a way to unite educational and recreational screen time, promote quality time in young children both at home and in the preschool environment, replacing sedentary time with a healthier alternative arising from the physical activity benefits
Summary
The preschool years (under 5 years) are a critical time for cognitive and behavioural growth, as well as for dynamic and elaborative developmental changes in children’s brain [1]. This period is important for promoting a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity participation [2]. A systematic review of research in children under 5 years showed that physical activity was associated with improved motor development, bone and skeletal health, and fitness [2]. Preschool children showed improved cognition and psychosocial health as a result of physical activity, with greater evidence seen for children aged 3–4 years
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