Browsing by Author "Saresvuo, Salla-Maj"

The physical activity of children has a significant meaning impact in the holistic and safe growth, develop-ment, and learning of children. The natural way for children under the age of three to release energy and emotions is through exercise. Exercise is play for children during which they can intuitively get to know, try out, and get to know their bodies and senses. According to national exercise guidelines, children should exercise three hours a day each day to acquire the many benefits of exercise. The recommendation for the physical activity of children is compiled of many forms of exercise: from light exercise and brisk outdoor activ-ities to very fast-paced physical activity. According to prior studies, children in daycare are inactive, or not in movement, for the majority of the day, and thus do not meet the given exercise goals. Research also shows that boys exercise and are active more than girls. The aim of this research is to investigate the amount of physical activity in children under the age of three in a daycare center that has a special emphasis on exercise, and then to compare the findings to the new na-tional exercise guidelines. The research also investigates the role of gender; do differences exist in the amount of exercise for boys and girls in the daycare center? The research departs from three research questions: (1) Do children under the age for three exercise according to the exercise guidelines? (2) What forms of exercise does the exercise take (low, intermediate or high levels?) (3) What connection does gen-der have to the exercise of children under the age of three in daycare? The research was realized qualitatively through examining the level of activity and strain of children under the age of three during a regular daycare day, and whether or not the amount of exercise was compatible with the new exercise guidelines for physical activity. The research was carried out in a daycare center that has a special emphasis exercise. The daycare center consists of three different units: Hippaheikki, Myrsky-luoto and Kajuutta. The research group was made up of fifteen children under the age of three: six girls and nine boys. Physical activity was measured through the University of Helsinki Polar Gofit activity meter over the course of six daycare days (6h/day). The analysis consisted of both a quantifying and thematic approach. under the age of three. The physical activity of the children was displayed through very typical means: the day was full of momentary shifts in tempo. During the course of six hours, the children exercised an hour. Boys exercised more than girls. The day care day for children under the age of three consists mostly of basic care. The time of analysis (6h) included two meals and a naptime in addition to several moments of getting dressed and using the bathroom. The time taken up by basic care partially explains the low levels of physical activity for children under the age of three. The physical activity of the children was displayed through very typical means: the day was full of momentary shifts in tempo.