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The Association between the Preference for Active Play and Neurological Development in Toddlers: A Register-Based Study

Author

Listed:
  • Anni Pakarinen

    (Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland)

  • Lea Hautala

    (Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland)

  • Lotta Hamari

    (Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland)

  • Minna Aromaa

    (Department of Public Health, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland)

  • Hannele Kallio

    (Health care services, Welfare Division, City of Turku, PO Box 670, 20101 Turku, Finland)

  • Pirjo-Riitta Liuksila

    (Family and social services, Welfare Division, City of Turku, PO Box 670, 20101 Turku, Finland)

  • Matti Sillanpää

    (Departments of General Practice and Child Neurology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland)

  • Sanna Salanterä

    (Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
    Turku University Hospital, PO Box 52, 20521 Turku, Finland)

Abstract

Active play is regarded as physical activity during early childhood. Physical activity has many benefits for children’s physical and psychosocial health and wellbeing, as well as for their cognitive development. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the preference for active play and neurological development in toddlers. The study was conducted as a register-based study, and the data were collected from a public-health clinic’s electronic health records. The register data about active play used in this study were originally assessed by parents at home and by early years teachers at nurseries. Neurological development was assessed by the public health nurses in public child-health clinics. The data eligible for this study were available from 717 toddlers aged 2.5–3.0 years old (mean: 2.5 years ± 2 months). The majority of toddlers (85%) showed a preference for active play, both at home and at the nursery. The prevalence of delays in the neurological development of toddlers varied in different developmental areas (by 1–15%). Delays in gross motor competence, auditory perception, and self-help skills were associated with a lower preference for active play in nursery settings, but none of the neurodevelopmental items were found to be associated with toddlers’ preference for active play at home. Nurseries need to encourage children to actively play and support their gross motor competence and self-help skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Anni Pakarinen & Lea Hautala & Lotta Hamari & Minna Aromaa & Hannele Kallio & Pirjo-Riitta Liuksila & Matti Sillanpää & Sanna Salanterä, 2020. "The Association between the Preference for Active Play and Neurological Development in Toddlers: A Register-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2525-:d:342388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:mpr:mprres:4373 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Jessie Adams & Jenny Veitch & Lisa Barnett, 2018. "Physical Activity and Fundamental Motor Skill Performance of 5–10 Year Old Children in Three Different Playgrounds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-12, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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