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Open Access Knowledge and Scholarship

Date of Award

12-2016

Culminating Project Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Early Childhood Special Education Studies: M.S.

Department

Child and Family Studies

College

School of Education

First Advisor

Jane Minnema

Second Advisor

JoAnn Johnson

Third Advisor

Marc Markell

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Keywords and Subject Headings

early childhood physical movement attending inclusion

Abstract

Limited research is available on how physical movement affects attending behavior in preschool-aged children. The primary purpose of this case study was to identify how early childhood educational team members perceive the use of physical movement to increase attending behavior in structured activities within inclusive preschool classrooms in one Minnesota public school setting. A survey was electronically distributed to 22 early childhood professionals and 17 surveys were returned. Overall, the participants in this survey agreed that physical movement activities increases preschool-age children’s attending behavior in structured activities within an inclusive preschool classroom. Participants’ responses also indicated that they perceive improvements in preschoolers’ communication, cognitive, motor, and social skills when movement activities are combined with early childhood structured activities. As a result of this study, participants expressed their understanding of the importance physical movement has on young children’s overall learning and development

Comments/Acknowledgements

It is a pleasure to thank those who made this thesis possible and to whom I am truly grateful. I owe my deepest gratitude to my loving, dedicated, and inspiring husband, Jared, for his endless support and encouragement through this educational venture. To my precious children, Harper and Reese, for their unconditional love and joy for life, even when “I always have to work late.” I would like to thank my loving family: my parents, Tim and Lisa, my in-laws, Jon and Betty, and all my siblings and in-laws. They all provided me with ongoing support, encouragement, prayers, and help with my children. To my advisor, Jane, for her encouraging words, advice and professional insight that guided me in numerous ways in writing this thesis. I am also very grateful for my two colleagues, Jen and Julie. Together the three of us stepped out of our comfort zone together, and cheered each other on through laughter and tears. It’s been a blessing to complete this huge accomplishment with you two by my side. And above all, utmost appreciation to my Heavenly Father for His unconditional love, comfort, and strength throughout all my life journeys. Thank you, Danielle Bailey

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