Effects of a Soccer Program on Preschool Children's Social Development

The purpose of this study was to investigate how soccer programs influence the social development of preschool children, focusing particularly on self-awareness, interpersonal interactions, and prosocial behavior. The study utilized both questionnaire surveys and experimental observations. Preschool children from multiple kindergartens in a city were selected as participants. By comparing the social development of children participating in soccer programs with those who did not, the study analyzed the impact of soccer programs. Interviews with teachers were also conducted to gain insights into their perspectives on soccer classes, complementing the research findings. The results indicated significant improvements among preschool children participating in soccer programs in terms of self-awareness development, interpersonal skills, and prosocial behavior. Soccer programs have been shown to be effective in promoting the development of social skills in preschool children[12]. Therefore, it is recommended that soccer-related programs be widely implemented at the preschool level to promote the all-round growth and development of children.