Decision optimization in early childhood physical education: An integrated multi‑criteria decision‑making framework and resource allocation model
نویسندگان
1 School of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut;s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand.
doi
10.22105/jarie.2026.562272.1946چکیده
This paper investigates the ways in which early childhood physical education programs can become more prioritised and budgeted in a more stringent manner in resource-constrained environments. The paper presents a combination of outcome evidence, expert judgement and decision-support modelling based on a 12-week quasi-experimental program in 15 preschools in Southwest China. The empirical part demonstrates an increase in BMI percentile, TGMD-3 motor subscale, general fitness, emotional well-being, and social skills following the intervention. The analytical element applies AHP to calculate baseline priority weights, fuzzy AHP to check the robustness of the model in cases of uncertainty in judgement and DEMATEL to provide a mapping of directional impact among criteria. Instead of trying to describe the optimisation itself as a universal prescription, the paper revisits the optimisation as a scenario model upon which to compare allocation strategies, in the linear and diminishing-return assumptions. In models, teacher professional development and program structure are the two most prevalent priorities and family engagement serves as an enabling factor of critical importance. The updated value of the paper is thus a clear, context-sensitive framework, which relates intervention evidence and structured resource-prioritisation to policymakers and school leaders.