INTERACTION OF PARENTS AND PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS (GRADES 1–4) IN THE PROCESS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

Objective of the study: To investigate the physical activity habits and interactions between primary school pupils in grades 1–4 and their parents. The methods used in the study: observation, literature analysis. To collect data, a questionnaire was administered through an online survey website visidati.lv. The survey was carried out in autumn 2021 in fifty Latvian schools. 90 primary school pupils in grades 1–4 and 90 parents of primary school pupils participated in the survey. Results: A child develops a systematic physical activity routine at an early age. Family physical activity is effective in increasing physical activity in children aged 5 to 12 years. The closest relationship between a parent and their child occurs when the child is eight years old. Parents act as external motivators for their children. Scientific studies have shown that parents can influence their children’s activity in two ways: indirectly as role models for physical activity, through verbal motivation, or directly by participating together in sport or supporting their child’s training. The empirical study results show that primary school pupils promote their parents’ (77%) willingness to engage in physical activity. 72% of pupils are motivated by their mother, 64% by their father. Pupils (69%) recognise that it would be useful to engage in more physical activity with their parents. Parents engage with their children, influence them positively, and contribute to their motivation through practical (transport – 59%), emotional, and informational (89%) support. Conclusions: A tangible interaction takes place between parents and children during physical activity.