Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Children's Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Motor Competence, and Other Physical Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.
development; harms; preschool; sleep; weight status; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Abstract :
[en] BACKGROUND: The purpose was to synthesize evidence on the association between nature-based Early Childhood Education (ECE) and children's physical activity (PA) and motor competence (MC).
METHODS: A literature search of 9 databases was concluded in August 2020. Studies were eligible if (1) children were aged 2-7 years old and attending ECE, (2) ECE settings integrated nature, and (3) assessed physical outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened full-text articles and assessed study quality. Synthesis was conducted using effect direction (quantitative), thematic analysis (qualitative), and combined using a results-based convergent synthesis.
RESULTS: 1370 full-text articles were screened and 39 (31 quantitative and 8 qualitative) studies were eligible; 20 quantitative studies assessed PA and 6 assessed MC. Findings indicated inconsistent associations between nature-based ECE and increased moderate to vigorous PA, and improved speed/agility and object control skills. There were positive associations between nature-based ECE and reduced sedentary time and improved balance. From the qualitative analysis, nature-based ECE affords higher intensity PA and risky play, which could improve some MC domains. The quality of 28/31 studies was weak.
CONCLUSIONS: More controlled experimental designs that describe the dose and quality of nature are needed to better inform the effectiveness of nature-based ECE on PA and MC.
Disciplines :
Education & instruction
Author, co-author :
Johnstone, Avril; MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow,United Kingdom
McCrorie, Paul; MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow,United Kingdom
Cordovil, Rita; CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Cruz Quebrada,Portugal
Fjørtoft, Ingunn; Faculty of Humanities, Sports and Education Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Notodden,Norway
Iivonen, Susanna; School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu,Finland
Jidovtseff, Boris ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Research Unit for a life-Course perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE)
Lopes, Frederico; Laboratory of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada,Portugal
Reilly, John J; School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow,United Kingdom
Thomson, Hilary; MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow,United Kingdom
Wells, Valerie; MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow,United Kingdom
Martin, Anne; MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow,United Kingdom
Language :
English
Title :
Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Children's Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Motor Competence, and Other Physical Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.
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