Developing a model to enhance professional competence in physical education for preschool instructors

Abstract

Improving the professional competence of physical education instructors in preschool settings remains an urgent issue, often stemming from deficits in their professional practices and competence levels. Objective: In this study, we aimed to develop and evaluate an experimental model for enhancing the professional competence of physical education instructors, along with the pedagogical conditions necessary for its implementation in the preschool educational environment. Materials and methods. The research project was performed in preschool educational institutions in the Ural Federal District of Russia, involving 20 physical education instructors and 120 children aged 5-7 who were enrolled in these institutions. A model for improving the physical education instructors’ professional competence has been developed and tested. It included 6 modules that provided innovative methods, conditions, forms and means of teaching and self-education, methodological support and the use by instructors of methods for building individual educational routes using IT technologies. With the help of a questionnaire, a high-stakes diagnosis of the professional competencies state among specialists in this category was carried out. The children's high-stakes level of mastering the educational program «Physical health» and the state of their physical fitness were analyzed. Results. The use of an experimental model for improving professional competence among physical education instructors in preschool institutions has had a positive impact on increasing the level of their knowledge, skills and abilities, which are provided for by the professional standard "Teacher". The most pronounced positive dynamics of the indicators values is in the improvement of subject, methodological and IT competencies. It has led to an increase in the level of mastering the educational program in the direction of «Physical health» by preschool children. At the end of the research project, all preschool children successfully mastered the program material. 53.03% of children who used an experimental model to improve the professional competence of instructors had a "high" level of physical qualities and basic types of movements formation. Conclusions. The obtained positive results of testing the proposed model for improving the physical education instructors’ professional competence allow recommending it for use in the practice of activities in other preschool institutions.