The Role of Physical Education and Sports Teacher in The Preschool Period in The Creation of Sports Infrastructure
Chapter from the book:
Özbay,
S.
&
Turan,
M.
&
Seçkin Ağırbaş,
İ.
(eds.)
2024.
Sustainability and Qualitative Research in Sport Management.
Synopsis
Sport is a broad concept that contributes to the social, spiritual and physical development of the individual and also includes struggle, competition and success (Yetim, 2006). In order to achieve success in this concept and become a high-level athlete, a timely and long-term complex work is required. At this point, sportive infrastructures come into play. Sportive infrastructures are institutions that provide the necessary working conditions for the athletes they recruit at an early age to become elite athletes. In order for the athletes in these institutions to achieve success, athletes should be introduced to these institutions as early as possible. Preschool period is the period when children acquire basic motor skills, which are a prerequisite for sports branches. Motor skills acquired correctly in this period are the main factor in children's sportive success.
Since pre-school education is not compulsory in our country and causes a financial burden, the number of students in these institutions is low. However, in recent years, families have been forced to take their children to these institutions due to the employment of women in business life, which has led to an increase in the rate of pre-school education institutions (Naci Kara, 2023). In this period, children love games because games are the most important place where they feel free and safe. Physical education and sports teachers to be assigned in these institutions play games suitable for children's developmental characteristics, while at the same time playing a major role in children's physical development, socialization and acquisition of basic motor skills. While physical education and sports teachers contribute to the development of the pre-motor skills required for all sports branches, they also play a major role in directing children to appropriate sports branches. Interviews with high-level athletes show that physical education and sports teachers have a great influence on many of these athletes to choose the right sport on time.
In this section, in order to achieve a high level of success in sports, it is necessary to get acquainted with sports from an early age. The most male age period for this is the pre-school period. In this period, children show social, emotional and physical development accompanied by play. In this period of rapid development, it is the period when children acquire the basic skills that are prerequisites for the skills of sports branches. We have touched upon the importance of physical education and sports teachers who play a role in children acquiring these basic skills in a fun and correct way.