Preschool education institutions teachers and children parents attitude towards physical activity

The aim of the research — to reveal attitude of teachers of preschool education institutions and parents of children attending these institutions towards physical activity. Hypothesis — teachers of preschool education institutions have a more positive attitude towards children physical activity than parents of attending children. Research methods: 1. Aanalyzis and summarisation of related scientific literature. 2. Questionnaire survey. 3. Statistical analyzis. Organization of research Research has been performed 2009—2010 in three Kaunas city and region kindergardens. Participants have been chosen by target selection method. Participants had free will to choose wether to participate in the research. Participants have been handled the questionaries and explained how to fill them in. Anonimity and confidentiality has been guaranteed. Participants: 49 teachers of preschool education institutions; 101 parents of children attending preschool education institutions. Conclusions Parents and teachers have differnet understanding about physical activity influence on child’s developement. 46% of parents and 36% of techers think that physical activity is important for child developement. 11% of parents and 2% of teachers think that physical activity is not so important for child developement. Only 43% of parents and 64% of teachers think that physical activity is very important for child developement. Parents and teachers oppinion on concequences of inadequate children physical activity is very similar. Majority of parents (58%) and teachers (68%) have stated that inadequate physical activity results in poor health. 23% parents and 24% of teachers think that it causes high sickness rate. 12% parents and 6% teachers think that inadequate physical activity causes children to get tired faster. 7% parents and 2% teachers think that inadequate physical activity weakens immunity. Research revealed that regarding responsibility of ensuring adequate physical activity in preshool education institutions parents and teachers have different points of view. 50% of parents think that preshool education instition is responsible for ensuring adequate physical activity of attending children, because institution itself develops strategy hoe to ensure that. Same opinion had 24% of teachers as well. 30% parents and 50% teachers stated, that responsibility of ensuring adequate physical activity of the child goes to famuly and closest environment. Only 11% parents and 26% teachers think, that this responsibility goes to society attitude towards physical activity as a mean to keep good health