About this trial
This study protocol aims to analyze and compare the effects of combined movement and storytelling intervention (CMSI) on fundamental motor skills (locomotor skills and object control), language development (language comprehension, language expression, vocabulary and language description), and physical activity levels (light, moderate to vigorous intensity, and sedentary time) in children aged 3 to 6 years. The sample will consist of 144 children of 12 classes group, randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups (n= 72 children) and 3 control groups (n= 72 children), belonging to 4 classes group of upper middle level classes (2 experimental and 2 control), 4 transition level 1 classes (2 experimental and 2 control) and 4 transition level 2 classes (2 experimental and 2 control). The experimental groups will perform the CMSI for 3 sessions (40-minute per session) per week over 12-weeks (using one motor story per week), while the control groups will not receive any treatment. The main outcome will provide information about fundamental motor skills, language development, and physical activity levels. It is hypothesized that the CMSI has the potential to generate significant increases in selected assessments. If this intervention proves to be beneficial, if could contribute to preschoolers children curricula.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Be enrolled in the educational center (school, college or kindergarten) that commits to participate in the intervention.
Age range between 3 to 6 years old.
Attend ≥ 85% of the sessions scheduled for the CMSI.
Disqualifiers
Children with musculoskeletal injuries or medical contraindications (i.e., congenital heart disease, fever, diarrhea or general malaise) that would prevent their normal performance in the assessments and intervention.
Children with permanent educational needs mentioned in Decree Nº83 of the Chilean Ministry of Education, such as, visual, hearing, intellectual or multiple disabilities, dysphasia or autistic disorder.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Combined Movement and Storytelling Intervention
Treatment groups
6
Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.