DEVELOPING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGH NATIONAL GAMES: A BIBLIOMETRIC AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study investigates the development of healthy lifestyles in preschool children through national games using bibliometric and thematic analysis. The research is based on a systematic review of scientific publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2005 and 2025, following the PRISMA framework. A total of 108 relevant studies were analyzed to identify key research trends, influential publications, and dominant thematic clusters within the field. The findings reveal that research on healthy lifestyles is predominantly concentrated on physical activity, nutrition and digital health technologies, while the preschool stage remains underrepresented. At the same time, the analysis highlights the significant potential of national games as an effective pedagogical tool that integrates physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, as well as cultural value transmission. However, these  culturally grounded approaches are insufficiently systematized and lack visibility in the international scientific discourse. The study demonstrates the importance of integrating national games into preschool education as a culturally relevant and holistic strategy for promoting healthy lifestyles. The results emphasize the need for further empirical research focusing on early childhood contexts and for strengthening the global representation of ethnopedagogical practices.