Exploring the effects of parental involvement in children’s physical activity sessions

Dorrian, Jane (2024). Exploring the effects of parental involvement in children’s physical activity sessions. In: BECERA 2024: Early Years Education as Political Activity: Access, Choice, Agency and Voice, 13 Feb 2024, Birmingham, UK.

Abstract

This study aims to identify the impact that involvement with a physical literacy project in Wales has on the physical activity and wellbeing levels of parents.
Whitehead & Bailey (2010) introduced the concept of physical literacy and its potential to impact on health and quality of life. Khanom et al (2020) identified factors that impact on Welsh families’ ability to access physical activity with young children, including accessibility to safe spaces and the impact of deprivation on opportunities and attitudes.
The theoretical framework is the praxis between the four domains of physical literacy (Whitehead, 2010) and Rooks and Kilner’s (2020) Competence Model and parental involvement in their child’s physical activity.
An interpretivist mixed methods research paradigm (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004) was used. 296 parent participants across Wales completed wellbeing and physical activity measurement tools at the start and end of the programme and semi-structured free-text evaluations on completion of the programme. 310 children were assessed using Leuven Involvement Scales. Statistical analysis was undertaken on quantitative data and qualitative data was analysed using systematic thematic analysis.
Consent forms and information sheets were provided to participants, personal details were collected in compliance with GDPR regulations with access restricted as required. Personal identifiers were anonymised by using participant numbers.
The findings showed that involvement in their child’s physical activity session increased parents’ wellbeing and physical activity levels and their awareness of physical literacy.
The findings suggest that physical activity programmes encourage parental participation and are a springboard for promoting lifelong physical literacy journey.

Viewing alternatives

Download history

Item Actions

Export

About