TEACH Study

The purpose of the Training EArly CHildhood educators in physical activity (TEACH) study is to develop and implement a physical activity and sedentary behaviour e-Learning training module for post-secondary Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs to better support students’ related learning.

The hope is to scaffold ECE students’ self-efficacy, and provide them with the tools necessary, to promote and lead physical activity opportunities in childcare settings.

Research articles:

Delphi Study:

Content Development for the e-Learning Course

Pilot Study:

Change in ECEs' Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Intentions

Pilot Study:

Implementation of the e-Learning Course

Randomized Control Trial:

The Efficacy of the e-Learning Course at Improving ECE's Self-efficacy, Knowledge, Intentions, and Perceived Behavioural Control

Quasi-Experimental Study:

The Efficacy of the e-Learning Course at Improving ECE Students' Self-efficacy, Knowledge, Intentions and Perceived Behavioural Control

Hawthorne, M., Bourke, M., Bruijns, B.A., Vanderloo, L. M., Irwin, J., Heydon, R., Carson, V., Johnson, A. M., Adamo, K. B., Burke, S. M., Timmons, B. W., & Tucker, P. (2025). The Efficacy of the TEACH e-Learning Course at Improving Early Childhood Education Students’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Related Self-Efficacy, Knowledge, Intentions, and Perceived Behavioural Control. Early Childhood Educ J. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-025-01855-5
Bourke, M., Bruijns, B. A., Vanderloo, L. M., Irwin, J., Heydon, R., Carson, V., Naylor, P.-J., Johnson, A. M., Adamo, K. B., Burke, S. M., Timmons, B. W., & Tucker, P. (2024). The efficacy of the TEACH e-Learning course at improving early childhood educators’ physical activity and sedentary behaviour self-efficacy, knowledge, intentions, and perceived behavioural control: a randomized controlled trial. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21(1), 79–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01628-0
Bruijns, B. A., Johnson, A. M., & Tucker, P. (2020). Content development for a physical activity and sedentary behaviour e-learning module for early childhood education students: a Delphi study. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1600–1600. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09670-w
Bruijns, B. A., Vanderloo, L. M., Johnson, A. M., Adamo, K. B., Burke, S. M., Carson, V., Heydon, R., Irwin, J. D., Naylor, P.-J., Timmons, B. W., & Tucker, P. (2022). Change in pre- and in-service early childhood educators’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions following an e-learning course in physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a pilot study. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 244–244. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12591-5
Bruijns, B. A., Vanderloo, L. M., Johnson, A. M., Adamo, K. B., Burke, S. M., Carson, V., Heydon, R., Irwin, J. D., Naylor, P.-J., Timmons, B. W., & Tucker, P. (2022). Implementation of an e-Learning course in physical activity and sedentary behavior for pre- and in-service early childhood educators: Evaluation of the TEACH pilot study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8(1), 64–64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01015-1