Research
Leave No Child Indoors (LNCI)
Leave No Child Indoors: Impact of Play Environments on the Physical and Socio-Emotional Development of Preschool Children and Children from Families with Less-abundant Resources in Singapore.
Research and Objectives
The research conducted by the National Institute of Education provides evidence that children under the age of 7 years often lead sedentary lifestyles, lack physical activity, excessively engage with screens, and exhibit irregular sleep patterns, all of which can contribute to obesity and sedentary habits. Research underscores the pivotal role of parents in influencing their children's physical activity behaviors. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the influence of different play environments on the physical and socio-emotional development of 5- to 6-year-old children.
Process
The study consists of two parts: Part 1 involves children attending preschools and employs various assessment methods to evaluate indoor, outdoor, and nature-inspired play spaces. Part 2 focuses on children from low-income families and their experiences in nature-inspired play spaces.
Methods
The research utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis, with a predetermined level of significance set at p< .05. The goal of this research is to provide insights and data that can be used to develop strategies for promoting healthy child development.
The Team
The research team comprises Professor Michael Chia, Low Seow Ting, Terence Chua, Dr Chung Ho Jin, Dr Jernice Tan, Dr Tommy Ng, Dr Hanin Hussein, and Dr Fannie Khng, Tan Xu Huan, and Chan Mun Thoong. The research is funded by a NIE ERFP Tier II grant.