Primary school children in Germany are increasingly suffering from poor posture, overweight and cardiovascular weaknesses. This is primarily due to a lack of exercise. According to the WHO, children and young people should be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day - a value that has long since been missed in the digital age.
André Wiebe reveals what the movement behavior of children looks like at the moment. Between 2009 and 2012, just 31 percent of German elementary school children achieved the recommended minimum level of physical activity. But why is this value so low?
Wiebe examines the different areas of children's lives and evaluates current studies. It illustrates the change that has occurred in recent years and whether the downward trend is necessarily negative. His publication is an important guide for social work with elementary school children.
From the content:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Digital media;
- Smartphone;
- Social networks;
- Obesity;
- KiGGS study
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Movement in development
2.1 Movement as a basic child's need
2.2 Effect on cognitive abilities
2.3 Effect on physical condition
2.3.1 Motor
2.3.2 Physical health
2.3.3 Consequences of lack of exercise
2.4 Movement and social development
3 The influence of movement on the development of the self
3.1 The influence of movement on the self-concept
3.2 The Influence of Exercise on Self-Efficacy
3.3 Negative development of the self due to lack of exercise
4 KiGGS study
4.1 General information
4.2 Relevant results for the present work
5 Movement of primary school children today and possibilities for further shaping movement
5.1 Movement spaces
5.1.1 Social space
5.1.2 Environment
5.1.3 Socio-ecological zones
5.2 Digital media as a contributor to a lack of exercise
6 Well-being
6.1 Subjective and objective well-being
6.2 Physical activity and state of health
6.3 Physical activity and balance
7 Final reflection
7.1 Summary and conclusions
7.2 Appeal to social work
8 Bibliography and source index
Objectives and Topics
This work explores the critical role of physical activity in the development of primary school children, specifically analyzing how exercise impacts their cognitive functions, physical health, and self-development within the context of an increasingly digitized lifestyle.
- The relationship between physical movement and child development.
- The influence of activity on self-concept, self-efficacy, and social skills.
- Empirical findings from the KiGGS study regarding physical activity levels.
- The impact of digital media and urban environments on sedentary behavior.
- The role of social work in promoting physical activity to enhance children's well-being.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Movement as a basic child's need
Exercise is a basic need of children. As already mentioned in chapter 1, people are closely associated with exercise even before birth. Furthermore, active movement is a need and an urge that can be explored on a neurobiological level. Transmitter excesses, such as the happiness hormone dopamine, lead to a more intense urge to move in children than in adults. In addition, a pronounced activity of the pallidum (certain region within the cerebral cortex), as well as an increased supply of protein stores are responsible for the fact that children move more than adults (cf. Weineck 2004, quoted from Rauschert 2017, p. 6). It becomes clear that high movement activity in the development of a child is predestined by human biology. This makes movement a basic anthropological need.
The older the child gets, the more he can actively move – for example, when he learns to walk. Then exploring the environment is also closely linked to active movement, because children run to discover more and more things. They perceive their environment as a world of movement, even if it is not designed for movement (cf. Zimmer 2008, p. 14). Children therefore see opportunities for movement in a wide variety of situations and places. They can use their imagination to try out a wealth of movement options. This behavior does not have to be rewarded or brought about by manipulation, but happens automatically in development. Through movement, children actively deal with their environment and get to know themselves and the laws of the environment (cf. Zimmer 2013, p. 9).
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the importance of movement in human life and introduces the specific research focus on primary school children in the digital age.
2 Movement in development: Explores the biological necessity of movement for children and its profound impact on cognitive, physical, and social growth.
3 The influence of movement on the development of the self: Analyzes how physical activity shapes the child's self-concept, self-efficacy, and the potential negative consequences of inactivity.
4 KiGGS study: Presents general information and critical empirical findings from the KiGGS study regarding physical activity and obesity in children.
5 Movement of primary school children today and possibilities for further shaping movement: Investigates the current movement situation, movement spaces, and the role of digital media as a barrier to physical activity.
6 Well-being: Defines subjective and objective well-being, discussing the vital connection between physical activity, health, and psychological balance.
7 Final reflection: Summarizes the key findings and issues an urgent appeal to social work and educators to prioritize physical activity for children.
8 Bibliography and source index: A comprehensive list of academic sources and references used throughout the study.
Keywords
Physical Activity, Child Development, Primary School, Self-concept, Self-efficacy, KiGGS Study, Digital Media, Obesity, Social Work, Well-being, Motor Skills, Movement Spaces, Socio-ecological Zones, Childhood, Sedentary Behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of this academic work?
The work aims to examine the significance of movement for the well-being of primary school children, specifically addressing how the digital age contributes to a lack of physical exercise and identifying potential starting points for social work.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The study covers the biological and psychological importance of movement, the influence of the environment and digital media, and the correlation between physical activity and self-development.
Which scientific methodology is used?
The paper primarily utilizes a literature-based scientific approach, incorporating insights from sports science, developmental psychology, and empirical data from the KiGGS study conducted by the Robert Koch Institute.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body systematically describes movement as a basic human need, its impact on cognitive and physical health, the role of self-efficacy, and analyzes how institutions and environments (like schools or households) currently influence children's activity levels.
What are the most important keywords for this study?
Key terms include physical activity, child development, KiGGS study, self-concept, self-efficacy, social work, and digital media impact.
How does the author characterize the role of social work?
The author argues that social work should be more socially critical, advocating for active interventions to expose the negative impacts of the digital industry and creating spaces where children can exercise freely.
What is the "well-being paradox" mentioned in the text?
The well-being paradox describes the phenomenon where individuals may report a positive evaluation of their well-being despite having objectively unfavorable living conditions.
Why are digital media considered a major threat to children's development?
Digital media are described as having an addictive potential that traps children in a sedentary, sitting position, depriving them of essential "body-related" experiences and movement opportunities, which are critical for healthy cognitive and physical growth.
How does the entry into school affect a child's movement patterns?
The transition to primary school often leads to a drastic decrease in physical activity, as the environment becomes increasingly characterized by sedentary learning requirements, contrasting with the more active play typical of preschool years.
Is there a social gradient in childhood obesity?
Yes, the data presented shows that children from lower socio-economic classes are significantly more likely to suffer from obesity (25.6%) compared to children from higher social classes (7.7%).
- Citar trabajo
- André Wiebe (Autor), 2018, How important is exercise for primary school children? Impact on child development and well-being in the digital media age, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1187829
