title: Does the Animal Fun program improve social-emotional and behavioural outcomes in children aged 4-6 years?
abstract: Animal Fun was designed to enhance motor and social development in young children. Its efficacy in improving motor skills was presented previously using a randomised controlled trial and a multivariate nested cohort design. Based on the Environmental Stress Hypothesis, it was argued that the program would also result in positive mental health outcomes, investigated in the current study. Pre-intervention scores were recorded for 511 children aged 4.83-6.17 years (M=5.42, SD=.30). Intervention and control groups were compared 6 months following intervention, and again in their first school year. Changes in teacher-rated prosocial behaviour and total difficulties were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and data analysed using Generalised Linear Mixed Models. There was a significant improvement in prosocial behaviour of children in the intervention group six months after initial testing, which remained at 18-month follow-up. Total difficulties decreased at 6 months for the intervention group, with no change at 18 months. This effect was present only for the hyperactivity/inattention subscale. The only significant change for the control group was an increase in hyperactivity/inattention scores from pre-intervention to 18-month follow-up. The Animal Fun program appears to be effective in improving social and behavioural outcomes.
authors: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: j.piek@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Jan P
authors: JP
authors: Piek
authors: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: r.t.kane@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Kane
authors: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: d.rigoli@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Rigoli
authors: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: s.mclaren@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: McLaren
authors: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: c.roberts@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Clare M
authors: CM
authors: Roberts
authors: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: r.rooney@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Rooney
authors: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: l.jensen@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Jensen
authors: School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: a.dender@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Alma
authors: A
authors: Dender
authors: School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address: Tanya.Packer@Dal.Ca.
authors: Tanya
authors: T
authors: Packer
authors: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: l.straker@curtin.edu.au.
authors: Leon
authors: L
authors: Straker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009048:Motor Skills; D011610:Psychosocial Deprivation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D012923:Social Class; D014904:Western Australia
keywords: Hyperactivity; Inattention; Movement intervention; Preschool children; Prosocial behaviour