Effects of Outdoor Motor Education on Preschoolers’ Motor and Social Behaviors - An Observational Study -

Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of short cycles of outdoor motor education sessions conducted in natural environments on the motor and social behaviors of preschool children aged 4–5 years. The main objective is to analyze whether guided sessions led by physical education teachers can influence how children interact and move during free playtime in outdoor natural areas.
Methods/Approach/Framework
A quasi-experimental, mixed-method design will be used. Two groups of kindergarten children will participate: an intervention group, attending three structured motor education sessions in a natural setting, and a control group, engaging only in their usual free play. Each group will be video-recorded during seven recess sessions—three before (pre-tests) and four after (post-tests) the intervention—using three fixed cameras focused on selected natural elements.
In the post-test phase, children will first play separately (group-specific analysis) and later together, to observe potential transfer effects from intervention to non-intervention peers. Video data will be transcribed and coded using a structured observation grid to quantify the frequency and type of motor and social behaviors (e.g., climbing, balance, cooperative play, exploration). Both qualitative descriptions and quantitative frequency analyses will be conducted.
Results
Data collection is scheduled between February and April 2026, and preliminary findings will be presented at the conference. Based on earlier pilot work, we expect that guided outdoor motor sessions will encourage more varied and confident motor behaviors, greater use of environmental affordances, and richer social interactions during subsequent free play.
Conclusion
This study contributes to understanding how natural environments and structured pedagogical approaches can foster preschool children’s motor and social development. It highlights the educational potential of outdoor settings and supports integrating natural elements into early motor education curricula.