This article aims to investigate how participating in physical activity play influences peer relationship and school life adjustment of first graders in elementary school. The study was conducted with a pre-test and post-test control group design, and a physical activity play program was conducted over 16 weeks. The results are as follows.
First, in terms of the influences of participation in physical activity program on peer relationship of first graders in elementary school sub-elements of peer relationship, leadership, cooperation, and sympathy had statistically positive influences.
Second, regarding the changes in school life adjustment of first graders in elementary school, sub-elements of school adjustment, adjustment in relationship with teachers, adjustment in relationship with peers and adjustment in school classes and rules had statistically positive influences after applying the program.
Third, peer relationship of the experiment group participating in the physical activity play had positive influences on school life adjustment.
Through the research results, it is revealed that participating in physical activity play is helpful for improving peer relationship and school life adjustment abilities of first graders in elementary school and these results implies the necessity of the application of various physical activity plays in school.