Pre- and in-service Early Childhood Educators' knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions following an e-learning course in physical activity and sedentary behaviour

Oral Presentation C11.6

Authors

  • Patricia Tucker Western University
  • Brianne A. Bruijns Western University
  • Leigh M. Vanderloo Western University
  • Kristi B. Adamo University of Ottawa
  • Shauna M. Burke Western University
  • Valerie Carson University of Alberta
  • Rachel Heydon Western University
  • Andrew M. Johnson Western University
  • Jennifer D. Irwin Western University
  • Patti-Jean Naylor University of Victoria
  • Brian W. Timmons McMaster University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.715

Keywords:

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

Abstract

Background: Early childhood educators (ECEs) are important daytime role models for young children; they program and lead physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) opportunities in childcare. Despite this important role, ECEs have noted receiving little PA and SB-related training during their pre-service schooling. Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the influence of an e-Learning course in PA and SB on pre- and in-service ECEs’ knowledge, self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and perceived behavioural control. Methods: A pre-post pilot study, part of the larger Training pre-service EArly CHildhood educators (TEACH) study, was conducted with pre-service ECEs recruited from three Canadian colleges, while in-service ECEs were recruited via social media. ECEs completed an online survey via Qualtrics prior to, and immediately following the completion of the e-Learning course (~5 hours). McNemar Chi-Square tests and paired samples t-tests were used to examine changes in ECEs’ question-specific, and total knowledge scores, while Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests were run to examine changes in self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and perceived behavioural control. Results: A significant increase in both pre- (n = 32) and in-service (n = 121) ECEs’ knowledge from pre- to post-course completion was observed. Additionally, significant positive changes across self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and perceived behavioural control items were displayed by in-service ECEs, while pre-service ECEs exhibited significance for these tools for select items only. Conclusions: These findings offer preliminary evidence of the appropriateness of an e-Learning course for improving ECEs’ knowledge, self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and perceived behavioural control to support physical activity and minimize sedentary time in childcare. Funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. 

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Tucker, P., Bruijns, B., Vanderloo, L., Adamo, K., Burke, S., Carson, V., Heydon, R., Johnson, A., Irwin, J., Naylor, P.-J., & Timmons, B. (2021). Pre- and in-service Early Childhood Educators’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions following an e-learning course in physical activity and sedentary behaviour: Oral Presentation C11.6. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.715

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