Are Parental Perceptions of Risk and Attitudes Towards Risk-Taking During Play Associated With Preschoolers' Physical Activity and Physical Literacy?

Authors

  • Michelle Rolande Stone School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University
  • Natasha Webber School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University
  • Jane Cawley Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University
  • Natalie E Houser College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan
  • Sara F.L. Kirk School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

Abstract

Purpose: To explore whether parental perceptions of risk and attitudes towards risk-taking during play are associated with preschoolers' physical activity (PA) and physical literacy (PL). Methods: Nova Scotia preschoolers (35 boys, 17 girls; mean age = 3.8 years) and parents (n=52 pairs) provided data. Linear regressions assessed associations of risk perceptions and attitudes with children's PA and PL, controlling for children's age (p<0.05). Results: Perceptions of risk were significantly associated with preschoolers' PA (r=0.24, p=0.05), and predicted 11.6% of the variance in PA. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between attitudes towards risky-play and PL (r=0.21, p=0.05), explaining 14.7% of the variance in PL. Conclusion: This evidence supports growing literature around the value of risky-play to children's development and parents' influence in risk-taking behaviour.

Author Biographies

Michelle Rolande Stone, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

Assistant Professor in Pediatric Physical Activity and Health Research, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University Associate Research Scholar, Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

Natasha Webber, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University

BSc (Kinesiology), School of Health and Human Performance

Jane Cawley, Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

Research Scholar, Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

Natalie E Houser, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan

PhD Candidate, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan

Sara F.L. Kirk, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

Professor, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University Scientific Director, Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University

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Published

2020-10-16

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2020): Outdoor Play and Early Learning

Section

Articles

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