Abstract

This article discusses the contribution of ‘child-friendly’ learning environments in an obesity prevention healtheducation program for young children. The ‘child-friendly’ approach refers to a concept wherein the situation,place, as well as the activities conducted include elements that children like or enjoy and are suitable to theirlevel. A total of 68 children between the ages of 3-6 years participated in the study. The program was conductedfor 32 weeks at a kindergarten using a ‘child-friendly’ approach. Data regarding children’s reactions towards theapproach were collected using video recordings and anecdotal records from in-situ observation. The data wereanalyzed using ATLAS.ti. Research results show that the ‘child-friendly’ learning environment contributed fourpositive reactions from the children; 94.29% of the children were recorded to be ‘happy’, 90.02% were recordedto be ‘excited’, 98.59% showed ‘acceptance’ and 95.71% showed ‘appreciation’. In conclusion, the researchfindings support the use of the ‘child-friendly’ approach in the teaching and learning process of children agedbetween 3-6 years as they are able to experience learning in an enjoyable manner thus motivating them to learn.

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