Due to lack of systemic program regarding physical activity in young children, the purpose of this study is to identify the constitution and development of the Natural Physical Activity Program by offering environmentally friendly elements such as win...
Due to lack of systemic program regarding physical activity in young children, the purpose of this study is to identify the constitution and development of the Natural Physical Activity Program by offering environmentally friendly elements such as wind, sun, mountain, sea, river, sand, tree, flower, field for young children. We expect children to learn the relation with nature, respect for life, understanding and love, importance of working together, etc.
The research contents for the purpose of this study are as followed:
Firstly, this study is to identify the overall awareness and its needs of the Natural Physical Activity Program among preschool teachers.
Secondly, this study is to explore how we can develop such program for preschool teachers.
And thirdly, this study is to develop a draft proposal on Natural Physical Activity Program.
About 250 preschool teachers resided in Pusan and Gyug-nam province were urged to participate in a research questionnaire about their awareness and needs of Natural Physical Activity program.
Among 250 preschool teachers, we choose 20 of them to interview about the goal, plan and development direction of the program.
A draft proposal of such program was drawn based on the interview and analyzed data we conducted. 4 current preschool teachers working more than 10 years and 6 Ph.D. in early child education reviewed an educational purpose, education area, contents, sample size, and class hour. In addition, this study reflected comments from specialists on early child education.
The results of the study are as followed:
Firstly, most of the preschool teachers have a positive view on the Natural Physical Activity Program, and they agree that the program is highly needed to use. However, it is urge that overall education environment need to be improved to achieve its goal of the program.
Secondly, the interview on the development direction is categorized as need, development direction, teaching method, evaluation method, activity, problem, improvement, solution, and etc.
Thirdly, the contents of the program include environmentally friendly elements such as wind, sun, mountain, river, sand, tree, flower, field to induce young children’s interest and whole-person education.
The contents of the program are expected to deliver hands-on experience for young children. And also, the program includes physical activity using nature objects.
Based on the potential problems we identified, a next study is expected to deal with following points.
Firstly, more empirical research is needed to prove the effectiveness of Natural Physical Activity program in a broad way by proposing a program that can be applicable at child-education center.
Secondly, the study developed contents to make young children feel enjoyable about nature. Unfortunately, in-depth research and development of such program is not sufficient. In this respect, further research on Natural Physical Activity Program is required and needs to be widely established.