Abstract
BackgroundPhysical activity offers numerous physiological and psychological benefits for young children; however, many preschool-aged children are not engaging in sufficient activity. The home environment, inclusive of parent role modeling, has been identified as influencing preschoolers' physical activity. This study sought to examine childcare providers' perspectives of the importance of parents and the home environment for supporting the physical activity behaviours of preschool-aged children (aged 2.5-5 years) attending childcare.MethodsA heterogeneous sample of childcare providers (n = 84; response rate 39%) working at childcare facilities in London, Ontario participated. Thirteen semi-structured focus groups were conducted in London centres between February 2009 and February 2010. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim and inductive content analysis was used to code and classify themes. A number of strategies were used to verify the trustworthiness of the data.ResultsChildcare providers acknowledged their reliance on parents/guardians to create a home environment that complements the positive physical activity messaging children may receive in childcare. Moreover, childcare staff highlighted the need for positive parent role modeling and parent support to encourage active healthy lifestyles among young children.ConclusionThis study's findings highlight the need for increased parent-caregiver partnering in terms of communication and cooperation in service of promoting appropriate amounts of physical activity among London preschoolers.
Highlights
Physical activity offers numerous physiological and psychological benefits for young children; many preschool-aged children are not engaging in sufficient activity
Participants discussed the impact of the home environment on physical activity behaviours of preschoolers and the themes that emerged have been captured under the following three themes which are discussed in detail below: 1. parents and the home environment as facilitators of physical activity; 2. parents and the home environment as barriers to physical activity; and, 3. suggestions for improving preschoolers’ physical activity behaviours
When asked about the facilitators to engaging preschoolers in physical activity while in childcare, in Member checking was conducted between each focus group question and at the end of each focus group to make certain that the researchers accurately understood the answers provided by participants
Summary
Physical activity offers numerous physiological and psychological benefits for young children; many preschool-aged children are not engaging in sufficient activity. This study sought to examine childcare providers’ perspectives of the importance of parents and the home environment for supporting the physical activity behaviours of preschool-aged children (aged 2.5-5 years) attending childcare. Among Canadian preschoolers, obesity rates are disturbing; research suggests that between 26 and 30% of young children are overweight or obese [1,2]. Tucker and Irwin reported a slightly higher participation rate [8], with 55% of London Ontario preschoolers engaging in 60 minutes of physical activity each day. In a systematic review of 39 international studies, Tucker reported that 54% of preschoolers engaged in 60 minutes of physical activity per day [9]. Given that activity levels have been found to decline with age [10], and that the preschool years may be a transitional time for children moving from childcare to the school system, it is imperative that physical activity be encouraged and active lifestyles fostered among this young population
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