@article{ref1,
title="Does the Animal Fun program improve social-emotional and behavioural outcomes in children aged 4-6 years?",
journal="Human movement science",
year="2015",
author="Piek, Jan P. and Kane, Richard and Rigoli, Daniela and McLaren, Sue and Roberts, Clare M. and Rooney, Rosanna and Jensen, Lynn and Dender, Alma and Packer, Tanya and Straker, Leon",
volume="43",
number="",
pages="155-163",
abstract="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>",
language="en",
issn="0167-9457",
doi="10.1016/j.humov.2015.08.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2015.08.004"
}