Painted Playgrounds Aim 1

Preschool is a critical period during which children develop fundamental motor skills, build confidence in their movement, and start a physical activity trajectory that follows through adolescence and beyond. Unfortunately, few sustainable interventions have succeeded in increasing preschool children's physical activity, and subsequently children are developing obesity at alarming rates. A simple, low-cost strategy is the addition of colorful markings (i.e. hopscotch, foursquare, fun trails) to existing playgrounds or open spaces. These "painted playgrounds" have been shown to be effective to increase physical activity in older school-aged children but remain understudied in preschool children. The proposed project will examine the physical activity environment of licensed childcare centers before and after the implementation of a promising (cost-effective, easily scalable) playground stenciling intervention.

The project aim will be achieved through a prospective observational epidemiological approach before and after a stenciling intervention is implemented. Among 4 childcare centers licensed in East Baton Rouge Parish (EBR), the investigators will first observe the playground environment to assess the equipment, space, ground material, etc. to provide a baseline measure of the physical activity environment prior to stenciling and ensure that intervention and control centers have similar playground environments. A modified behavioral observation method, the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY), will be used during recess to identify changes in physical activity after the stencils are added and which stencils are generating the biggest changes in physical activity. Surveys will be administered to center directors to further understand the physical activity environment (i.e. policies, additional PA support, etc.) in each center. This project will examine how a promising (cost-effective, easily scalable) playground stenciling intervention changes the physical activity landscape of childcare centers in order to provide evidence for the need for dissemination to numerous childcare centers across Louisiana. Ultimately, this pilot may launch an innovative strategy that has the potential to disrupt negative trends in obesity and sedentary behavior among Louisiana preschoolers.

Inclusion criteria

• Licensed by DOE as a Class A or Class B childcare center
• Current childcare enrollment of at least 20 children between the ages of 3-6 years
• Has a playground/play area with adequate space for stenciling

Exclusion criteria

• Childcare center and/or childcare center director are unwilling to participate