Instructional climates in preschool children who are at-risk. Part II: perceived physical competence.
In Part II of this study, we examined the effect of two 9-week instructional climates (low-autonomy [LA] and mastery motivational climate [MMC]) on perceived physical competence (PPC) in preschoolers (N = 117). Participants were randomly assigned to an LA, MMC, or comparison group. PPC was assessed by a pretest, posttest, and retention test with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance. A significant Treatment x Time interaction (p < .001) was present, supporting that MMC participants reported significantly higher PPC scores over time, while no positive changes were present in LA and comparison participants. The results show that an MMC leads to psychological benefits related to achievement motivation. These findings should encourage early childhood educators to consider the effect of instructional climates on children's self-perception.
Department of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5323, USA. lerobinson@auburn.edu
Leah E
LE
Robinson
Mary E
ME
Rudisill
Jacqueline D
JD
Goodway
D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012938:Social Perception; D013663:Teaching; D013997:Time Factors