Effects of integrating physical and cognitive tasks on preschool children's executive function, numeracy, and physical activity
Oral Presentation A7.1
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.399Keywords:
Physical Activity, Executive Function, Self-Regulation, Numeracy, Early YearsAbstract
Background: Due to lack of time, opportunities for children to be physically active during their time in preschool are becoming increasingly compromised. Initiatives to change usual practices in preschools, using an integrative approach to physical and cognitive tasks, are needed. Purpose: A 6-week intervention program combining reading sessions and cognitively engaging physical activity aimed to improve preschool children’s executive function, numeracy, and physical activity. Methods: 145 children (3-5 years; 65 female) from 7 childcare centres were randomly allocated to one of three conditions, conducted twice per week, as a group activity: 1) a cognitively engaging physical activity condition, in which a story was told, stimulating children to perform physical activities and cognitive tasks, 2) a cognitive condition, in which a story was told, stimulating children to perform cognitive tasks, and 3) a control condition (i.e., storytelling only with no activities). Counting was embedded in all reading sessions for the 3 groups. Children were individually assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. Results: Mixed ANOVA showed a significant Condition x Time interaction (F(2, 117) = 8.18, p < .001, eta squared = .12) for numeracy. Data on physical activity, executive function, and self-regulation are currently being analysed (finished by August 2021). Conclusions: Preliminary findings support the potential for the meaningful integration of physical and cognitive and skills to generate positive effects in children’s developmental progress. Funding: This study is supported by the UOW Vice Chancellor Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (individual grant).
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Copyright (c) 2021 Myrto Mavilidi, Caterina Pesce, Anthony D. Okely, Fred Paas, Sue Bennett, Steven Howard
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