Abstract:

The aim of the present research is to establish if the physical environment in various rooms of an early education institution (living room, hall, gym, outdoor space) can have a strong effect on the level of children’s physical activity. Participants of the research were two nursery groups belonging to two newly-built kindergartens in the City of Rijeka, with state-of-the-art architecture of the indoor and outdoor space. The experimental group included 19, while the control group included 17 children, a total of 36 children averagely aged 3.1. Variables were formed based on the space in which children spent their time and the measuring instrument – pedometer (Omron HJ-720IT-E2). The basic descriptive parameters were calculated, and to determine the significance of differences the Student’s independent sample t-test was applied. Results show a significant difference (p=0.00) in favour of the contemporary environment which encourages movement. According to statistics, the experimental group children are significantly more physically active and on average they move up to five times more than children of the control group, and at a level of intensity which ensures a significant effect on their health. Such an organised contemporary spatial environment which stimulates movement is adequate to any child and their potentials because it evenly homogenises children at the physical activity level so that there are almost no differences among experimental group children regarding the results of their physical activity level. The foundations have been set from which the criteria for a new approach to spatial organisation and integrated learning stimulating children’s physical activity can be developed. It is a contemporary approach which significantly stimulates children’s motor movement, enables their integral development, integrated learning, is applicable in all spaces of a preschool institution and has a significant health effect.

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