Abstract

Introduction: The present research aimed to determine the effect of the use of didactic games in Physical Education classes in the achievement of significant transversal learning on hygiene habits in students aged 6 and 7 years. Methods: Quasi-experimental study, quantitative methodological design, the sample of 42 students of both sexes with whom an intervention program was carried out for 4 consecutive weeks. We sought to determine how influential play can be in the child's meaningful learning in Physical Education classes through a survey applied pre and post intervention, which consisted of 32 questions where it had to be valued according to frequency of execution: Always, almost always, Occasionally, Almost never, Never. Results: The results of the different variables are presented in the data below taking into account the comparison before and after the intervention. Significant differences were observed during the 4 weeks of intervention in Hand Hygiene (PRE: 18.6 ± 4.6 POST: 27.9 ± 2.4; P= 0.000; ET= -2.45) positive effects of the intervention were found; Oral hygiene (PRE: 18.2 ± 4.5 POST: 23.6 ± 3.1; P= 0.000; ET= -1.39) positive effects of the intervention were found.; Body Hygiene (PRE: 16.3 ± 4.2 POST: 25.1 ± 2.3; p= 0.000; TE= -2.59); Social Hygiene (PRE: 13.0 ± 4.8 POST: 20.2 ± 2.1; p= 0.000; ET= -1.94) positive effects of the intervention were found; Total hygiene (ER: 66.0 ± 16.3 POST: 96.8 ± 5.7; p= 0.000; TE= -2.47) positive effects of the intervention were found. Conclusion: the intervention program in physical education classes, through play, generated significant effects on transversal learning about hygiene habits, which motivates us to use and recommend this teaching method to be used in imparting new habits, values and principles. In the four variables, hand hygiene, oral, social, and body habits, there was a significant improvement in the 42 students of the educational institution. With this we can realize that it is a content that we can work without problem during Physical Education classes through didactic games.