Sociability through the Movement of Young Children: The Effects of Exercise Programs involving Rhythm Play on the Potential for Physical Expression

Eri Yoshimi

doi:10.11114/ijsss.v9i4.5278

Abstract

This study aims to examine the potential for physical expression on the part of infants through observations of their motions before and after exercise programs, with an understanding of the potential for physical expression as the development of a sociality that seeks to communicate with other children in the experience of an exercise program. The 106 study participants comprised 29 three-year-olds, 44 four-year-olds, and 33 five-year-olds. During the exercise intervention period, a exercise program focusing on rhythm play was carried out for 6 minutes per day. The ability for physical expression was analyzed using 12 criteria related to the areas of motion, space, dynamics, time, and relationships, which revealed the characteristics of each grade of students. Significant interactions were observed in criteria 11 and 12, related to the area of relationships, across all grades. Specifically, in the efforts of those from around the age of four, which involved repeating motions in a particular rhythm, it was shown that this could be expected to greatly increase the impact on the potential for bodily expression. It was discovered that the experience of an exercise program involving rhythm play, even if they only experienced it a few times, brought a greater degree of richness to the movement of the children while at the same time expanding their awareness of other children and giving rise to behaviors through which they actively participated in communication.

Highlights

1.1 The Importance of Social Development in Early ChildhoodPhysical expression, such as rhythm play, is considered an opportunity for children to express themselves by moving in tandem with a rhythm, expanding their consciousness away from themselves and towards others, supporting the development of both the mind and body, and promoting a rich variety of activity in young children.At present, the lowering of basic exercise competencies is regarded as a problem in Japan, with guidelines for early childhood exercise being established
There was no significant difference between the mean of the two evaluators according to the observed evaluation score of the potential for physical expression
The effect an exercise program centered on rhythm play on the sociability of young children was examined, with a focus on the potential for physical expression from the viewpoint of social development based on relationships with other people

Summary

Introduction

1.1 The Importance of Social Development in Early ChildhoodPhysical expression, such as rhythm play, is considered an opportunity for children to express themselves by moving in tandem with a rhythm, expanding their consciousness away from themselves and towards others, supporting the development of both the mind and body, and promoting a rich variety of activity in young children.At present, the lowering of basic exercise competencies is regarded as a problem in Japan, with guidelines for early childhood exercise being established. The “diversification of movements” described in the guidelines for early childhood exercise states that the number of types of movements will be increased and a variety of movements will be obtained through play that involves moving the body, as well as through general life experience. By accumulating experience of the “diversification of movements” and “refinement of movements” through play that involves moving their bodies, physical strength and the capacity to exercise will increase, and a smoothness of movement will be acquired. These experiences are thought to increase the motivation and interest of the young child surrounding participation in various activities, as well as nurturing their sociability through engagement with their surroundings

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