PARENT ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHILDREN PHYSICAL EXERCISE

The aim of the research paper was to examine parent attitudes about the needs, habits, activities and types of physical exercise of their children. The study sought to determine how much parents grant importance to the physical activities of their preschool children and its implementation, as well as the location of the activity. The research sample consists of 52 respondents. The respondents were parents of preschool children age 25 to 38. An on-line anonymous questionnaire was created for the purposes of the survey, consisting of 17 items using a five-point Likert-type attitude scale. The results showed a parents' positive attitude regarding encouraging children for the exercise, also developed awareness among parents about the importance of engaging in physical activity as well as its positive impact on health, cognitive, socio-emotional and psychomotor development. Parents happily involve their children in different physical activities and think they need regular daily exercise. Also, they have a positive attitude about the importance of physical activity in preschool-age encouraging children to try various forms of physical activity within kindergarten institutions or beyond as well as outdoor. The results of research over parents show they understand the necessity of meeting preschool children's needs in physical activities and also spending quality time together in organized and spontaneous physical activities with their children. Pre-schoolers need physical activity to meet their primary needs for movement. The role of parents is to provide children to meet as much as possible opportunities for physical activity.