Completed Projects
SPACE
The Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) study involved implementing a 3-component intervention in childcare centres in London, Ontario and included: 1) new portable play equipment; 2) shorter, more frequent outdoor play sessions; and, 3) staff training in physical activity. The goal of this study was to increase preschoolers’ physical activity levels and decrease their sedentary time during childcare hours.
Tucker et al. (2017). Impact of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention on preschoolers’ physical activity levels and sedentary time: a single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial. international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 14(1), 120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0579-7
Driediger, et al. (2018). The Implementation and Feasibility of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) Intervention: A Process Evaluation. Health Education & Behavior, 45(6), 935-944.
Tucker et al. (2015). Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE): rationale and study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC public health, 16(1), 112.
Truelove et al. (2017). Preschoolers’ health-related quality of life following the implementation of a childcare physical activity intervention. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 43(5), 453-459.
LEAPP
The purpose of the Learning Environments’ Activity Potential for Preschoolers (LEAPP) study was to compare the physical activity levels (i.e., moderate to vigorous physical activity, total physical activity) of preschoolers in three different early-learning environments (i.e., center-based childcare, home-based childcare and full day kindergarten) and to assess which characteristics (i.e., play equipment, policies, staff behaviour and training, outdoor play periods, sedentary behaviours/opportunities) of these early learning environments were associated with preschoolers' physical activity.
Vanderloo, L. M., Tucker, P., Johnson, A. M., Burke, S. M., & Irwin, J. D. (2015). Environmental influences on Preschoolers' physical activity levels in various early-learning facilities. Research quarterly for exercise and sport, 86(4), 360-370.
Tucker, P., Vanderloo, L. M., Newnham-Kanas, C., Burke, S. M., Irwin, J. D., Johnson, A. M., & van Zandvoort, M. M. (2013). Learning environments’ activity potential for preschoolers (LEAPP): study rationale and design. Journal of public health research, 2(2).
An Examination of Early Childhood Educators’ (ECEs) Knowledge, Self- Efficacy and Risk Tolerance for Outdoor Play among Young Children in Childcare
The purpose of this study was to train early childhood educators to promote children’s frequent engagement in outdoor play with exposure to risk. In partnership with the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario (SWO) an Outdoor Play Workshop was created to 1. inform ECE’s of the importance of risky play for young children and 2. educate participants how to responsibly implement activities involving risky play. Study outcomes measured how the workshop changed ECE’s (1) knowledge, (2) self-efficacy (SE), and (3) risk tolerance for children’s outdoor play in participating YMCA childcare centres.