Analysis of knowledge production on physical education in early childhood education

Abstract

As the first step of Basic Education, Early Childhood Education has undergone several changes in the last decades. Driven by society, educational laws were altered and reflected directly on school Physical Education, which now must meet the demands of early childhood Education. Therefore, this study assesses works on Physical Education in Early Childhood Education conducted at graduate programs available at the online Catalog of Thesis and Dissertations of CAPES (acronym for Brazil’s Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel). We adopted integrative revision as a methodological resource. The analysis of the results showed increase in the number of dissertations and thesis on Physical Education in Early Childhood Education, both in PE and in Education programs. The topics covered from pedagogical practices, inclusion and valuation of PE, teacher training and life history, curricula and regulations to the difficulties in working in Early Childhood Education.