Potential Efficacy of the MOVERS Professional Development Programme: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

IF 2 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2025-07-31 DOI:10.1111/cch.70146

Kalina M. Kazmierska-Kowalewska, Anthony D. Okely, Iram Siraj, Carol Archer, Sanne L. C. Veldman, Rachel A. Jones

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

High-quality early childhood education (ECE) environments positively impact child outcomes. This study examined the potential efficacy of a professional development (PD) programme on improving the quality of the ECE movement environment and children's physical activity, motor, literacy and numeracy skills.

Methods

A 6-month RCT involving 5 ECE services and 157 children (mean age 3.84 ± 0.61 years) was conducted. ECE services were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 3) or wait-list control group (n = 2). The PD comprised five monthly face-to-face sessions, including theory, practice and reflective thinking components. Outcomes included the quality of the ECE movement environment (MOVERS), children's gross motor skills (TGMD-2), physical activity (GT3X accelerometers), fine motor skills (ASQ-3), receptive vocabulary (PPVT-4) and numeracy (PENS). All outcomes were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Data were analysed using linear mixed models (SPSS, Version 26) and effect sizes were calculated. Educator engagement was collected using questionnaires.

Results

Large effect sizes were reported for the quality of the ECE movement environment (d = 1.77–9.35). Medium to large effect sizes were reported for children's gross motor skills (d = 0.68–1.23), and small to medium effect sizes were reported for three subscales of the numeracy test (d = 0.43–0.63). In the intervention group, a significantly greater number of children moved from being at risk of delay or delayed to normal development in fine motor skills (Phi = 0.21). Educators reported that the PD content was relevant and clearly explained, highlighting the hands-on components as the most valued aspect.

Conclusion

The MOVERS PD pilot programme resulted in changes in educators' pedagogy and practice and in children's gross and fine motor skills and numeracy skills. Future studies with larger sample sizes will be important to confirm these results.

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MOVERS专业发展计划的潜在疗效：一项随机对照试验

高质量的幼儿教育（ECE）环境对儿童的发展有积极影响。这项研究审查了专业发展方案在改善欧洲经委会运动环境质量和儿童身体活动、运动、识字和算术技能方面的潜在功效。方法对5家ECE机构157名儿童（平均年龄3.84±0.61岁）进行为期6个月的随机对照试验。ECE服务被随机分配到干预组（n = 3）或等候名单对照组（n = 2）。发展计划包括每月五次面对面的课程，包括理论、实践和反思。结果包括ECE运动环境（MOVERS）的质量、儿童大运动技能（TGMD-2）、身体活动（GT3X加速度计）、精细运动技能（ASQ-3）、接受性词汇（PPVT-4）和计算能力（PENS）。所有结果在基线和随访时进行评估。使用线性混合模型（SPSS, Version 26）分析数据并计算效应量。通过问卷调查收集教育工作者的参与情况。结果ECE运动环境质量的效应值较大（d = 1.77-9.35）。据报道，儿童大运动技能的中到大效应量（d = 0.68-1.23），而计算能力测试的三个子量表的小到中等效应量（d = 0.43-0.63）。在干预组中，有更多的儿童在精细运动技能方面从延迟或延迟发展的风险中恢复正常（Phi = 0.21）。教育工作者报告说，PD内容相关且解释清楚，强调实践部分是最有价值的方面。结论MOVERS PD试点项目改变了教育工作者的教学方法和实践，改变了儿童的大、精细运动技能和计算技能。未来更大样本量的研究将对证实这些结果很重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.