Encouraging kids to hop, skip, and jump: Emphasizing the need for higher-intensity physical activity in childcare

Active Learning Norwegian Preschool(er)s (ACTNOW) – Design of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Staff Professional Development to Promote Physical Activity, Motor Skills, and Cognition in Preschoolers

“…The intervention activities will take place indoors and outdoors, both within and outside of the preschool area (e.g., using a nearby forest, beach, park, playground, etc.). Because more time spent outdoors is associated with increased PA ( Bingham et al, 2016 ; Driediger et al, 2018 ), and better cognitive and behavioral development ( Ulset et al, 2017 ), preschools will be encouraged to spend ample time outdoors each day. Through the use of various environments, children will have access to play areas with a variety of surfaces (e.g., floor, grass, sand, bark, mud, dry, wet, snow, ice, etc.)…”

“…The environment, both inside and outside, will be enriched by portable equipment to encourage various movements, including hula-hoops, balls of different sizes and weights, bean bags, sensory slices, cones, and hurdles. Such portable play equipment has been shown to increase MVPA (Driediger et al, 2018;Määttä et al, 2019). Furthermore, equipment such as dice, letters, shapes, and pictures will be provided to incorporate learning goals through physically active play.…”

“…In Norway and internationally, it is recommended that young children spend at least 60 min/day in MVPA (Tetens et al, 2014; World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). There is general concern about low PA levels internationally (Bornstein et al, 2011;Driediger et al, 2018;Truelove et al, 2018), and recent evidence shows that only 55% of 3-to 5-years-old in Norway achieve this amount of MVPA (Nilsen et al, 2019c).…”

“…PA plays a key role in preventing non-communicable diseases and at an early age provides a foundation for optimal health and development that represents a critical investment in children's development of human capital (Bailey et al, 2013;Carson et al, 2017). Yet, there are growing concerns regarding low PA levels among children and youth, including preschoolers (Bornstein et al, 2011;Driediger et al, 2018;Truelove et al, 2018;Nilsen et al, 2019c). The preschool (97% coverage among 3-to 5-years-old in Norway) and school settings are optimally suited to reach most children, irrespective of social background, with initiatives to increase PA levels and improve health and development.…”

Exploring Outdoor Play in Kindergartens: A Literature Review of Practice in Modern Greece

“…Tandon et al (2019) recommend that children have 60-90 minutes of outdoor play per day. Sixty minutes of playtime per day leads to more energetic play (Driediger et al, 2018). Tucker et al (2017) have found a strong relationship between outdoor playtime and children's physical activity.…”