Influence of Sports Activities on Community Consciousness and Peer Attachment of Children in Regional Community Child Center

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to find out the influence of sports activity on community consciousness and peer attachment of children in regional community child center.

Methods/Statistical analysis: The subjects were 41 children including 23 children of three regional community child care centers who participated in sports activities for 2 hours every Saturday for 10 weeks and 18 children who did not exercise. As a survey tool, a questionnaire asking about community consciousness and peer attachment was used before and after the exercise. Independent t-test and paired t-test conducted to verify the quantities of changes pre and post.

Findings: The conclusions as follows; First, as a result of comparing changes in community consciousness before and after sports activities of children in regional child centers, it was found that the 'sense of unity and 'a sense of belonging' among the sub-variables of community consciousness improved. Second, as a result of comparing the community consciousness of children participating in sports activities and non-participating children, the sense of unity and sense of belonging of children who participated in sports were higher. Third, as a result of comparing peer attachment before and after sports activities of children in regional child centers, it was found that 'communication' increased and 'sense of alienation' decreased after participation in sports. Fourth, as a result of comparing the peer attachment of children who participated in sports activities and non-participating children, the sense of trust and communication of children who participated in sports were high.

Improvements/Applications: It is necessary to provide a variety of group sports programs to children in order to increase the sense of intimacy, belonging, and trust with peers at the local community children's center.