Background
Methods
Study design and procedures
College/university recruitment
Participants
Recruitment and inclusion criteria
Instruments and tools
Data analysis
Results
Province/ Territory | Number of Institutions Contacted | Number of Participating Institutions | Institutional Participation (%) | Enrolment Number at Participating Institutions | Number of Participants | Response Rate (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
British Columbia | 20 | 12 | 60 | 1085 | 184 | 17 |
Alberta | 11 | 6 | 55 | 637 | 76 | 12 |
Saskatchewan | 5 | 2 | 40 | 78 | 66 | 85 |
Manitoba | 4 | 3 | 75 | 99 | 51 | 52 |
Ontario | 27 | 20 | 74 | 5073 | 554 | 11a |
Québec | 31 | 9 | 29 | 683 | 90 | 13 |
Nova Scotia | 4 | 4 | 100 | 223 | 26 | 12 |
New Brunswick | 1 | 1 | 100 | 161 | 44 | 27 |
Prince Edward Island | 2 | 1 | 50 | 6 | 2 | 33 |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 2 | 1 | 50 | 35 | 28 | 80 |
Yukon | 1 | 1 | 100 | 4 | 4 | 100 |
Northwest Territories | 1 | 1 | 100 | 5 | 5 | 100 |
Nunavut | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
TOTAL | 110 | 61 | 55 | 8089 | 1292 | 16a |
Participant Characteristic |
N
| % | Participant Characteristic |
N
| % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sex | Type of Early Childhood Education Program | ||||
Male | 12 | 1.8 | Certificate | 190 | 16.5 |
Female | 645 | 96.1 | Diploma | 768 | 71.5 |
Ethnicity | Degree | 115 | 9.9 | ||
Caucasian | 370 | 55.1 | Other | 13 | 2.0 |
African Canadian | 12 | 1.8 | Year of Study | ||
Aboriginal/First Nations | 53 | 7.9 | 1 | 582 | 49.3 |
Hispanic | 11 | 1.6 | 2 | 424 | 35.9 |
Asian | 105 | 15.6 | 3 | 71 | 6.0 |
Arab | 16 | 2.4 | 4 | 42 | 3.6 |
Other | 64 | 9.5 | Other | 61 | 5.2 |
Enrolment Status | Experience Working in a Childcare Setting | ||||
Full-time | 1048 | 89.1 | Yes | 1055 | 89.0 |
Part-time | 128 | 10.9 | No | 131 | 11.0 |
Minutes of weekly MVPA | Minutes of daily recreational screen-viewing | ||||
<30 | 147 | 21.8 | <60 | 104 | 15.4 |
30–59 | 206 | 30.6 | 60–100 | 197 | 29.2 |
60–89 | 99 | 14.7 | 101–149 | 117 | 17.3 |
90–119 | 80 | 11.9 | 150–199 | 94 | 13.9 |
120–149 | 65 | 9.7 | 200–239 | 67 | 9.9 |
150+ | 76 | 11.3 | 240+ | 96 | 14.2 |
Early childhood education candidates’ physical activity and screen-viewing knowledge
Document | Yes (%) | No (%) |
---|---|---|
Provincial/territorial childcare legislation | 73.4 | 26.6 |
ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth | 19.6 | 80.4 |
Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play | 23.7 | 76.3 |
Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years | 36.9 | 63.1 |
Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for the Early Years | 17.0 | 83.0 |
Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Yearsa | 15.1 | 84.9 |
I have never heard of any of these documents | 20.3 | 79.7 |
Total Sample | No courses | 1+ Courses |
X
2
| Gamma | Gamma SE | T | Adj. p† | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M
|
SD
|
M
|
SD
|
M
|
SD
| ||||||
Physical Activity-Related Knowledge Item
| |||||||||||
Key features of gross motor development | 5.30 | .80 | 5.24 | .86 | 5.46 | .66 | 8.89 | .12 | .08 | 1.60 | .87 |
Age appropriate movement skills for children | 5.22 | .84 | 5.16 | .87 | 5.37 | .77 | 2.50 | .08 | .07 | 1.14 | 1.00 |
The link between physical activity and cardiovascular health | 5.00 | .98 | 4.94 | 1.02 | 5.12 | .89 | 5.38 | .08 | .07 | 1.19 | 1.00 |
The link between physical activity and muscular health | 5.04 | .96 | 5.00 | .98 | 5.14 | .93 | 1.88 | .05 | .07 | .69 | .49 |
The link between physical activity and psychosocial health | 5.05 | .94 | 5.01 | .96 | 5.16 | .92 | 1.38 | .07 | .07 | 1.01 | 1.00 |
The link between physical activity and learning | 5.26 | .84 | 5.20 | .87 | 5.42 | .73 | 5.85 | .13 | .07 | 1.77 | .77 |
The link between physical activity, brain development, and preparing children for learning at school | 5.22 | .87 | 5.18 | .90 | 5.31 | .80 | 2.19 | .08 | .07 | 1.07 | 1.00 |
The link between physical inactivity and type 2 diabetes | 4.82 | 1.18 | 4.82 | 1.17 | 4.84 | 1.19 | 11.28 | .07 | .07 | .95 | 1.00 |
My college/university training has helped me understand important information about young children’s physical activity needs | 5.15 | .96 | 5.03 | 1.02 | 5.38 | .79 | 14.99 | .12 | .07 | 1.70 | .80 |
I have the skills and abilities I need to support young children’s physical activity | 5.17 | .93 | 5.08 | 1.00 | 5.35 | .77 | .72 | .04 | .06 | .70 | .97 |
Screen-Viewing-Related Knowledge Item
| |||||||||||
The link between screen-viewing and rates of childhood obesity | 5.09 | 1.02 | 5.09 | 1.00 | 5.14 | 1.01 | .09 | −.02 | .11 | −.18 | 1.00 |
The link between screen-viewing and psychosocial health | 4.98 | 1.05 | 4.98 | 1.02 | 5.03 | 1.08 | 1.88 | .01 | .10 | .07 | .95 |
The link between screen-viewing and cognition | 4.94 | 1.03 | 4.93 | 1.01 | 5.05 | 1.06 | .70 | .06 | .10 | .64 | 1.00 |
The link between screen-viewing and high blood pressure | 4.55 | 1.26 | 4.53 | 1.24 | 4.67 | 1.28 | 2.01 | .07 | .09 | .85 | 1.00 |
The link between screen-viewing and irregular sleep patterns | 4.96 | 1.12 | 4.96 | 1.08 | 5.02 | 1.11 | .18 | .01 | .10 | .13 | 1.00 |
Physical Activity-Related Knowledge Item |
X
2
| Gamma | Gamma SE | T | Adj. p† |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Key features of gross motor development | 1.61 | .27 | .25 | 1.28 | 1.00 |
Age-appropriate movement skills for children | 2.67 | .34 | .21 | 1.86 | .58 |
The link between physical activity and cardiovascular health | 3.82 | .31 | .15 | 2.22 | .26 |
The link between physical activity and muscular health | 1.90 | .14 | .15 | .95 | 1.00 |
The link between physical activity and psychosocial health | 1.61 | .10 | .15 | .69 | 1.00 |
The link between physical activity and learning | 1.10 | .15 | .20 | .80 | 1.00 |
The link between physical activity, brain development, and preparing children for learning at school | 1.34 | .17 | .19 | .95 | 1.00 |
The link between physical inactivity and type 2 diabetes | 1.23 | .12 | .13 | .91 | 1.00 |
My college/university training has helped me understand important information about children’s physical activity needs | 1.72 | −.10 | .14 | −.68 | .50 |
I have the skills and abilities I need to support children’s physical activity | .84 | .11 | .17 | .69 | .99 |
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour-related training
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Courses Completed/Forthcoming
| ||||
Topic
|
No courses
|
1+ courses
| ||
N
|
%
|
N
|
%
| |
Physical Activity (n = 811) | 550 | 67.8 | 261 | 32.2 |
Sedentary Behaviour (n = 799) | 586 | 73.3 | 213 | 26.7 |
Concepts Covered in Mandatory and Elective Courses (
n
= 810)
| ||||
Topic
|
Mandatory
|
Elective
| ||
N
|
%
|
N
|
%
| |
Physical education | 367 | 45.3 | 78 | 9.7 |
Physical activity | 553 | 68.3 | 64 | 7.9 |
Physical literacy | 374 | 46.2 | 76 | 9.4 |
Gross motor development | 703 | 86.6 | 33 | 4.1 |
Locomotor & non-locomotor movement | 463 | 57.2 | 56 | 6.9 |
Outdoor risky play | 559 | 69.0 | 63 | 7.8 |
Active play | 661 | 81.4 | 34 | 4.2 |
Screen viewing | 383 | 47.3 | 75 | 9.3 |
Sedentary behaviour | 336 | 41.5 | 70 | 8.6 |
Appropriate sleep | 437 | 54.0 | 59 | 7.3 |
No courses discussed these topics | 106 | 13.1 | 73 | 9.0 |
Physical Activity Courses Completed/Forthcoming | Sedentary Behaviour Courses Completed/Forthcoming | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Province | No Courses | 1+ Courses | No Courses | 1+ Courses | ||||
N
| % |
N
| % |
N
| % |
N
| % | |
Alberta | 34 | 61.8 | 21 | 38.2 | 30 | 54.5 | 25 | 45.5 |
British Columbia | 88 | 68.2 | 41 | 31.8 | 89 | 69.5 | 39 | 30.5 |
Manitoba | 23 | 53.5 | 20 | 46.5 | 29 | 69.0 | 13 | 31.0 |
New Brunswick | 13 | 61.9 | 8 | 38.1 | 18 | 85.7 | 3 | 14.3 |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 20 | 74.1 | 7 | 25.9 | 23 | 85.2 | 4 | 14.8 |
Northwest Territories | 3 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
Nova Scotia | 6 | 31.6 | 13 | 68.4 | 12 | 70.6 | 5 | 29.4 |
Ontario | 281 | 75.5 | 91 | 24.5 | 287 | 78.6 | 78 | 21.4 |
Prince Edward Island | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
Quebec | 13 | 33.3 | 26 | 66.7 | 23 | 59.0 | 16 | 41.0 |
Saskatchewan | 40 | 66.7 | 20 | 33.3 | 38 | 63.3 | 22 | 36.7 |
Yukon | 3 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
Self-efficacy to instruct physical activity and limit screen-viewing in childcare
Item | Total Sample | No Courses | 1+ Courses | Mean Rank | Mann-Whitney U |
z
| Adj. p† | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M
|
SD
|
M
|
SD
|
M
|
SD
| No courses | 1+ Courses | ||||
Self-Efficacy to Promote Physical Activity
| |||||||||||
Ensure children are engaging in adequate light physical activity | 7.93 | 2.04 | 7.82 | 2.12 | 8.15 | 1.84 | 333.60 | 357.55 | 47,801.00 | −1.53 | .25 |
Ensure children are engaging in adequate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity | 7.37 | 2.20 | 7.19 | 2.30 | 7.73 | 1.95 | 326.53 | 369.32 | 44,441.00 | −2.70 | .04* |
Create an environment that encourages active play | 8.43 | 1.77 | 8.33 | 1.83 | 8.65 | 1.60 | 326.80 | 359.14 | 45,461.00 | −2.11 | .14 |
Make good use of the environment and available equipment for play and physical activity | 8.32 | 1.82 | 8.20 | 1.94 | 8.60 | 1.51 | 326.63 | 357.93 | 45,508.50 | −2.03 | .13 |
Create opportunities for outdoor risky play (e.g., tree climbing, less ‘hovering’ on the playground, balancing activities) | 7.26 | 2.46 | 7.25 | 2.53 | 7.34 | 2.26 | 339.35 | 336.76 | 50,008.50 | −.16 | .87 |
Self-Efficacy to Teach Physical Activity
| |||||||||||
Model appropriate physical activity/movement behaviours | 8.27 | 1.86 | 8.17 | 1.94 | 8.52 | 1.64 | 329.44 | 361.60 | 46,027.00 | −2.07 | .23 |
Lead activities to improve children’s fitness development (e.g., cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, & coordination) | 7.71 | 2.17 | 7.64 | 2.22 | 7.87 | 2.06 | 332.93 | 351.37 | 47,863.50 | −1.17 | .72 |
Teach about the relationship between physical activity and health | 7.66 | 2.11 | 7.62 | 2.17 | 7.79 | 1.97 | 335.55 | 346.07 | 48,936.50 | −.67 | .51 |
Teach locomotor skills, traveling actions (jump, gallop, hop) | 8.29 | 1.94 | 8.19 | 2.06 | 8.54 | 1.65 | 330.46 | 353.28 | 46,991.50 | −1.48 | .69 |
Teach play skills (bike riding, sliding, swinging, climbing) | 8.02 | 2.10 | 7.93 | 2.23 | 8.26 | 1.82 | 333.06 | 352.64 | 47,803.00 | −1.25 | .84 |
Teach rhythm skills | 7.73 | 2.16 | 7.65 | 2.23 | 7.92 | 1.99 | 330.54 | 348.75 | 47,025.50 | −1.16 | .49 |
Use a variety of methods that encourage physical activity | 8.11 | 1.94 | 7.98 | 2.01 | 8.39 | 1.76 | 325.36 | 363.62 | 44,685.00 | −2.46 | .10 |
Self-Efficacy to Overcome Barriers to Physical Activity
| |||||||||||
Facilitate active play for young children in a limited space | 7.96 | 2.00 | 7.85 | 2.10 | 8.23 | 1.74 | 327.87 | 354.00 | 46,065.50 | −1.68 | .09 |
Lead outdoor active play opportunities even if I am tired | 7.98 | 2.00 | 7.85 | 2.11 | 8.24 | 1.76 | 324.62 | 355.91 | 44,975.00 | −2.02 | .13 |
Lead active play opportunities in challenging weather climates (e.g., rain, snow, extreme heat) | 7.24 | 2.44 | 7.11 | 2.55 | 7.58 | 2.15 | 328.14 | 357.99 | 45,940.00 | −1.89 | .12 |
Self-Efficacy to Minimize Screen Viewing
| |||||||||||
Limit the amount of screen time children in my class engage in to less than 40 min per day (*2/3 of the daily recommendation) | 8.21 | 2.41 | 8.20 | 2.39 | 8.36 | 2.38 | 331.33 | 346.60 | 42,530.00 | −.962 | .34 |
Minimize the use of screens as a reward for good behaviour | 7.96 | 2.54 | 7.92 | 2.60 | 8.19 | 2.50 | 330.36 | 351.04 | 41,900.00 | −1.29 | .39 |
Item | Mean Rank | Mann-Whitney U |
z
| Adjusted p† | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meeting Guideline | Not Meeting Guideline | ||||
Self-Efficacy to Promote Physical Activity
| |||||
Ensure children are engaging in adequate light physical activity (as per the Canadian guidelines) | 365.83 | 330.48 | 20,115.00 | −1.54 | .12 |
Ensure children are engaging in adequate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (as per the Canadian guidelines) | 377.82 | 327.22 | 18,975.50 | −2.19 | .06 |
Create a childcare environment that encourages active play | 391.63 | 322.55 | 17,546.50 | −3.08 | .01* |
Make good use of the environment and available equipment for play and physical activity | 399.09 | 321.57 | 16,979.50 | −3.44 | .01* |
Create opportunities for outdoor risky play (e.g., tree climbing, less ‘hovering’ on the playground, balancing activities) | 380.64 | 325.70 | 18,609.00 | −2.38 | .05 |
Self-Efficacy to Teach Physical Activity
| |||||
Model appropriate physical activity/movement behaviours | 386.30 | 326.70 | 18,407.50 | −2.62 | .04* |
Lead activities to improve children’s fitness development (e.g., cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, & coordination) | 401.68 | 323.56 | 17,086.00 | −3.40 | .01* |
Teach about the relationship between physical activity and health | 380.97 | 326.23 | 18,660.00 | −2.38 | .05 |
Teach locomotor skills, traveling actions (jump, gallop, hop) | 395.96 | 323.14 | 17,369.00 | −3.24 | .01* |
Teach play skills (bike riding, sliding, swinging, climbing) | 375.07 | 327.57 | 19,184.50 | −2.08 | .08 |
Teach rhythm skills | 349.22 | 327.53 | 20,458.50 | −.945 | .35 |
Use a variety of methods that encourage physical activity | 398.72 | 322.78 | 17,159.50 | −3.34 | .01* |
Self-Efficacy to Overcome Barriers to Physical Activity
| |||||
Facilitate active play for young children in a limited space | 385.62 | 322.86 | 17,728.50 | −2.75 | .01* |
Lead outdoor active play opportunities even if I am tired | 398.53 | 319.32 | 16,718.00 | −3.50 | .00* |
Lead active play opportunities in challenging weather climates (e.g., rain, snow, extreme heat) | 398.07 | 322.87 | 17,209.00 | −3.26 | .00* |