TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Does the Animal Fun program improve social-emotional and behavioural outcomes in children aged 4-6 years?
JO  - Human movement science
A1  - Piek, Jan P.
A1  - Kane, Richard
A1  - Rigoli, Daniela
A1  - McLaren, Sue
A1  - Roberts, Clare M.
A1  - Rooney, Rosanna
A1  - Jensen, Lynn
A1  - Dender, Alma
A1  - Packer, Tanya
A1  - Straker, Leon
SP  - 155
EP  - 163
VL  - 43
IS  - 
N2  - Animal Fun was designed to enhance motor and social development in young children. Its efficacy in improving motor skills was presented previously using a randomised controlled trial and a multivariate nested cohort design. Based on the Environmental Stress Hypothesis, it was argued that the program would also result in positive mental health outcomes, investigated in the current study. Pre-intervention scores were recorded for 511 children aged 4.83-6.17years (M=5.42, SD=.30). Intervention and control groups were compared 6months following intervention, and again in their first school year. Changes in teacher-rated prosocial behaviour and total difficulties were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and data analysed using Generalised Linear Mixed Models. There was a significant improvement in prosocial behaviour of children in the intervention group six months after initial testing, which remained at 18-month follow-up. Total difficulties decreased at 6 months for the intervention group, with no change at 18 months. This effect was present only for the hyperactivity/inattention subscale. The only significant change for the control group was an increase in hyperactivity/inattention scores from pre-intervention to 18-month follow-up. The Animal Fun program appears to be effective in improving social and behavioural outcomes.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0167-9457
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2015.08.004
ID  - ref1
ER  -