Positive self-concept through physical-sport activity of preschool children

ABSTRACT: Research activities on self development in Evolutionary Psychology research have a long tradition. Man, from birth, possibly earlier, has a subjective sense of self. Out of this sense of self, man learns about himself and classifies himself and his environment. The aim of the present study was to build a positive self-concept in preschool children by offering motor activities and finally to study this issue. The method badopted for the study was a review of the relevant literature. By analyzing various research findings, web discovered that self-esteem and self-confidence develop as a result of children’s experiences with their own body during the early years of life. Successes are recorded as positive experiences. Equally imprinted are the unsuccessful endeavours, which as failures influence essentially the self-esteem of children. Limits of their own performance are recognized and make it clear to the children early on whether they are strong or weak. In addition, children are always in comparison with others. In a game the objective of which is the comparison with others or in everyday situations, the child is compared many times with peers. Thus, the self-concept of children develops not only based on their own observations, but also on the ascriptions that others attribute to them. The child-centred approach imputes the cause of a variety of disorders to a child’s negative self-concept characterized by low confidence in one’s own abilities and a lack of self-esteem. From this consideration, arises conversely the approach of child-cantered development promotion, which examines the possibility of a positive change in body concept and, as a consequence, of self-concept through positive physical and motor experiences. As a consequence of this, thoughts arose about the possibilities of promoting self-concept by offering opportunities for motor games and movement activities.
KEY WORDS: positive self-concept, movement, preschool age, personality development