Using the Delphi Method to develop content for a physical activity and sedentary behaviour e-Learning course for pre-service Early Childhood Educators

Oral Presentation C11.5

Authors

  • Brianne A. Bruijns Western University
  • Andrew M. Johnson Western University
  • Patricia Tucker Western University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.714

Keywords:

Early Childhood Education, E-Learning, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour

Abstract

Background: Early childhood educators (ECEs) play an important role in promoting healthy physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in childcare, but have reported lacking appropriate training in this area. Purpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to develop consensus on content to include in a PA and SB e-Learning course for pre-service ECEs. Methods: Two expert panels (PA/SB [n = 26] and ECE [n = 35]) were formed via purposeful sampling of Canadian/international researchers. PA/SB experts were asked to propose topics for the course via online survey. Topics were pooled (n = 19), and in a second survey, both expert panels rated their importance (0 = unimportant to 5 = very important). Mean ratings were ranked by panel, and then pooled to generate an overall ranked list of content areas. Inter-panel agreement of rankings was quantified using Spearman’s rho. Results: Outdoor Play was the top-rated content area (M = 4.77 ± .64), while Monitor PA and Sedentary Time within Your Classroom scored the lowest (M = 3.77 ± 1.44). Content area importance rankings showed moderate-to-strong inter-panel agreement (rs = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.83). Conclusions: Providing pre-service ECEs with PA/SB training is a proactive way to ensure they prioritize healthy PA/SB in childcare. The results of this study provide a solid foundation for the development of this training – and this expert endorsement should facilitate its implementation within ECE programs. Funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. 

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Bruijns, B., Johnson, A., & Tucker, P. (2021). Using the Delphi Method to develop content for a physical activity and sedentary behaviour e-Learning course for pre-service Early Childhood Educators: Oral Presentation C11.5. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.714

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