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Physical activity intervention improves executive function and language development during early childhood: The
Lisa S Olive1,2,3, Rohan M Telford4, Elizabeth Westrupp1,2
1School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Child Development
|October 6, 2023
Summary
The Active Early Learning (AEL) program improved preschool children's executive function and expressive vocabulary. This childcare-based physical activity intervention showed positive effects on inhibition and language development.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Pediatric Health
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Executive function and expressive vocabulary are crucial for early childhood development.
- Childcare settings offer opportunities for structured physical activity interventions.
- Previous research indicates a link between physical activity and cognitive development in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the Active Early Learning (AEL) intervention on executive function and expressive vocabulary in preschool children.
- To determine if a center-based physical activity program integrated into childcare routines can enhance cognitive and language skills.
- To investigate the effectiveness of AEL using a randomized controlled trial design.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 314 preschool children aged 3-5 years from 15 Australian childcare centers.
- Children were randomly assigned to either the AEL intervention group (n=170) or a control group (n=144).
- Intervention involved integrating AEL physical activity into the daily childcare routine.
Main Results:
- The AEL intervention demonstrated a significant positive effect on children's inhibition, a key component of executive function (β=0.5, p=.033, d=0.29).
- Significant improvements were observed in expressive vocabulary among children in the AEL group (β=1.97, p=.001, d=0.24).
- The intervention was effective in enhancing both executive function and expressive language development.
Conclusions:
- Integrating the Active Early Learning physical activity intervention into daily childcare routines effectively enhances early childhood executive function and expressive language.
- The AEL program provides a viable model for promoting cognitive and linguistic development in preschool settings.
- Findings support the use of structured physical activity programs in childcare to foster holistic child development.
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