Play and dance as (in) surgent practices for children’s motor skills and lifestyle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24054/s02fz479Keywords:
Play, Dance; , Motor skills, Lifestyles, Preschool childAbstract
Motor skills and healthy lifestyle are fundamental dimensions of children’s holistic development; however, there is currently a progressive decline in physical activity (PA) and an increase in sedentary habits, which negatively affect children’s health and well-being. The study evaluated the effect of a structured motor activity program based on play and dance on perceptual- motor skills and lifestyle in transitional-age children. A descriptive, longitudinal study with a pre–post design and a quantitative approach was conducted on a sample of 40 participants (5–6 years old). The intervention consisted of 20 playful–rhythmic sessions spread over three months, covering body awareness, coordination, balance, laterality, strength, speed, endurance, and rhythm, combining individual, cooperative, and competitive activities. Motor observation rubrics and the Fantastic questionnaire were applied to measure motor skills and lifestyle. The results showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in coordination, postural control, balance, and laterality; in addition, there was a significant increase in the overall lifestyle score, with a shift from a predominantly “Regular” category toward “Good” and “Excellent” levels. These findings indicate that play and dance, as (in)surgent, innovative, and structured practices, constitute a comprehensive pedagogical alternative that simultaneously fosters motor development, social interaction, and the adoption of healthy habits in early childhood.
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