Perceptions of the Reggio Emilia Approach to social and emotional skills of Preschool Physical Education

Introduction: This study explored the application of the Reggio Emilia approach in preschool physical education, focusing on its effects on motor skills development, interaction types, emotional engagement, and teamwork and sportsmanship. the approach emphasizes child-centered and exploratory learning, aiming to foster holistic development. Objective: the objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Reggio Emilia approach in enhancing physical, social, and emotional skills compared to traditional teaching methods in preschool physical education settings. Methodology: a mixed-methods design was employed, combining qualitative observations and quantitative assessments. two groups of preschool children, experimental and control, were observed over a three-month period. independent samples t-tests and ANOVA were used to analyze differences in outcomes between the groups. Results: the results showed significant improvements in motor skills and emotional engagement in the experimental group, supporting the effectiveness of the Reggio Emilia approach in these areas. however, no significant differences were observed in interaction types or teamwork and sportsmanship. Discussion: the discussion highlighted the alignment of these findings with existing literature, emphasizing the strengths of the Reggio Emilia approach in fostering creativity and emotional involvement, while identifying areas requiring further targeted intervention. Conclusions: the study concluded that the Reggio Emilia approach is an effective tool for enhancing physical and emotional development in preschool physical education, with potential for broader applications in early childhood education.