The purpose of the research was to determine the frequency of injuries occurring in kindergarten
during organized physical activities and during free physical play without professional guidance.
Data were collected using a survey questionnaire from a sample of 473 educators of children of
various age groups (from the first to the sixth year) from different regional areas in Slovenia.
Frequencies were calculated, and a chi-square test and one-sample t-test for the mean were
conducted.
The findings indicate that the main cause of injury in kindergartens is an unpredictable situation
(collision, sudden tripping). In physical activities in kindergarten, the most common injuries are
bruises, followed by abrasions and sprains. The most injuries were recorded on the lower limbs,
followed by injuries to the head, upper limbs, and torso. The data show that there are differences
in the number of injuries based on gender, with boys being more frequently injured than girls.
The majority, specifically just over a third of the employees in kindergartens, conduct organized
physical activities every day, which usually lasts 300 minutes per week. The average duration of
free physical play per week is 246 minutes. During organized physical activities, most injuries
occur on outdoor playgrounds, and the same applies during free play. Injuries during organized
activities most often occur during running, significantly less during other physical activities.
During free play, children are most likely to get injured while running and playing tag.
Most injuries occur in the morning, between 9:00 and 12:00, and in most cases, children are not
absent from kindergarten due to injuries. Educators usually respond to injuries by applying a
compress to the injured area. Most employees make a report only in the case of more serious
injuries, while a quarter of the respondents always make a report in all cases.
Over the past decade, the number of injuries during physical activities in kindergartens in Slovenia
has increased, although the activities most commonly leading to injuries have not changed
significantly. The anatomical locations of the injuries, the causes of the injuries, and the types of
injuries remain roughly the same as in the past, more or less unchanged. Based on the obtained
results, measures have been proposed to reduce injuries among preschool children. These
measures encourage physical activity while ensuring their safety.
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