The Impact of Preschoolers' Gender and Sensory Preferences on Physical Activity Levels during Play

Abstract

This study examined the differences between boys and girls in relation to activity levels during play and sensory preferences for activity level, body position and movement. A review of the literature revealed no evidence to explain if boys and girls prefer different body positions while playing or if body position might be used to measure their activity levels. Method: This retrospective study used data from demographic forms, children's Sensory Profiles and observations of children's play in classroom settings. The sample consisted of 53 typically developing children between ages 3-5 years from a suburban preschool in Kansas in the United States. Results: Analysis of data from play observations revealed no significant differences between boys and girls in relation to body position mean (p = 0.33), body position standard deviation (p = 0.19) and total number of change position times (p = 0.28). Analysis of data from children's Sensory Profiles showed no significant differences (p = 0.97) between boys' and girls' seeking preferences reflected by activity level, body position and movement items in the Sensory Profile. Conclusion: Future research should investigate children's play in outdoor playgrounds and implement more rigorous methods in rating activity levels.

The relationship between children’s sensory processing patterns and their leisure preferences and participation patterns

“…This caregiver questionnaire is a pediatric assessment tool that helps professionals measure the possible contributions of sensory processing to children’s daily performance patterns (Ohl et al, 2012). It is designed for children ages 3 to 10 years and is divided into 125 items that reflect sensory processing, modulation, and behavioral and emotional responses (Ismael & Mische Lawson, 2012). A number of studies have investigated children’s sensory processing patterns and how these patterns affect their preference and performance in daily life activities by using the Sensory Profile (see N.…”

“…B. Brown & Dunn, 2010; Ismael & Mische Lawson, 2012; Mische Lawson & Dunn, 2008; Welters-Davis & Mische Lawson, 2011) or the Short Sensory Profile (see Engel-Yeger, 2008; Tomchek & Dunn, 2007) as assessment tools. Also, a number of psychometric studies (see Dunn & Westman, 1997; Ermer & Dunn, 1998; Kientz & Dunn, 1997; Ohl et al, 2012) established the Sensory Profile’s validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability.…”

Determinants of Physical Activity during Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

“…It is posited that gender differences during childhood occur because boys begin to confront greater pressure from their peers to join organized sports when they begin school (Cairney, Hay, Faught, Mandigo, & Flouris, 2005), while girls are encouraged to participate in quieter activities (Rose, Larkin, & Berger, 1997). During the preschool years, however, boys and girls may not be influenced to the same degree by these socially constructed roles (Cairney et al, 2005;Ismael & Lawson, 2012;Nicaise, Kahan, & Sallis, 2011;Rose et al, 1997). Consistent with this reasoning, the unequivocal gender differences in the physical activity literature may not be evident until later in childhood, when children begin primary school.…”

Maternal scaffolding and toddlers' active joint engagement during play: Moderating effects of toddlers' temperamental activity

“…Adequate physical activity level is positively related to joint engagement with a playmate (Benigno & Farrar, ), whereas an extremely high or low physical activity level is negatively related to joint engagement during play (Brown et al, ; Wilkes‐Gillan, Bundy, Cordier, & Lincoln, ). Adequate physical activity level also has important benefits for children's physical health, social skills, and their self‐regulation and academic achievement (Becker et al, ; Campbell, Eaton, & McKeen, ; Ismael & Lawson, ; Pellegrini & Smith, ).…”