The influence of school physical education on the development of children in early childhood education

• Jonas da Silva Bezerra

  Federal University of Ceará

  https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3614-1314 (unauthenticated)

• Lorena Gomes Gadelha

  Federal University of Ceará

  https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3903-5929 (unauthenticated)

• Carla Thais de Sousa

  Federal University of Ceará

  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5455-9980 (unauthenticated)

• Marcela de Castro Ferracioli-Gama

  Federal University of Ceará

Objective: To analyze the influence of school Physical Education (PE) classes on the development of children enrolled in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Method: Sixty children aged 4-5 years enrolled in four ECE institutions in Fortaleza, Ceará, participated in this observational and cross-sectional study. The children were divided into two groups: PE Group (30 children who receive PE classes with a PE teacher); and Control Group (30 children who do not have such classes). The Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (MABC-2) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) were used to assess child development. The performance of the groups was compared using the Student's T-test, and the relative frequency of children with motor difficulties or at risk of motor difficulties according to the MABC-2, and those who Require Referral for Evaluation (NE) or Need Additional Activities (AA) according to the ASQ-3 were presented. Results: The PE Group demonstrated superior performance compared to the Control Group in the components of Throwing and Catching, Balance, and the total score of the MABC-2. More children in the Control Group exhibited motor difficulties and were at risk of motor difficulties than in the PE Group. Also, the PE Group performed better than the Control Group in the dimensions of Gross Motor Coordination, Fine Motor Coordination, and Personal/Social skills. More children in the PE Group exhibited AA or NE in Communication, Fine Motor Coordination, and Problem-Solving than in the Control Group. Conclusion: The results suggest that PE classes influence the development of children in ECE.

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• Pediatrics

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