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Physical activity recommendations for early childhood: an international analysis of ten different countries’ current national physical activity policies and practices for those under the age of 5

Howells, Kristy orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-0758-7532, Sääkslahti, Arja orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-4354-0990, De Martelaer, Kristine orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-8242-2669, De Craemer, Marieke orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-5220-7850, Jidovtseff, Boris orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-7535-8993, Dong, Jinxia, Nørager Johansen, Danielle Louise, Skovgaard, Thomas orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-6729-4988, Naul, Roland, Coulter, Maura orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-9406-2349, Duff, Christina, Tortella, Patrizia orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-2553-9163, Fumagalli, Guido orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-2195-4973, Fjortoft, Ingunn orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-2945-4703, Howells, Kristy orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-0758-7532 and Urtel, Mark (2019) Physical activity recommendations for early childhood: an international analysis of ten different countries’ current national physical activity policies and practices for those under the age of 5. In: Howells, Kristy orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-0758-7532 and Sääkslahti, Arja orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-4354-0990, (eds.) Physical Education in Early Childhood Education and Care: Research–Best Practice-Situation. Slovak Scientific Society for Physical Education and Sport, Bratislava, Slovakia, pp. 321-336. ISBN 978-80-89075-81-2

Abstract
During the last two decades there have been growing interests on recommendations for children’s physical activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the first global international recommendations for children in 2010, focusing on children and youth aged 5-17 year olds. The recommendations were based on the dose-response relationship between the frequency, duration, intensity, type and amount of physical activity needed for prevention of non-communicable diseases. There remains however, at time of writing, (2019) a gap in the recommendations, as the WHO did not offer global recommendations for those children under the age of 5 (early years). An international policy and practice analysis, (not previously undertaken), of ten sample countries, was completed of current national physical activity practices. Also an international comparison of early years’ education settings were examined, specifically for those under the age of 5, to investigate current curricula, as well as the qualifications, knowledge and understanding of those supporting children’s learning in different cultural contexts. The sample of ten countries (Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, United Kingdom and United States of America) questioned whether the global daily physical activity recommendations (WHO, 2010) are costumed and used for to the early years’ age group on a national level or if they need to be adjusted. The analysis revealed that eight countries have developed their own national recommendations for children below the age of 5, while only two countries do not have any early years’ specific physical activity recommendations. National authorities seem to be the most common executive sources behind the recommendations. The content of physical activity for children under the age of 5, mostly included the total amount and intensity of physical activity. The total daily amount of physical activity in these ten countries varies between 60 minutes moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity up to 180 min total light to moderate intensity physical activity and for some countries the daily recommendations are only from age 1 year, not between birth and 1 year, this age range remains unsupported. The conclusions from the analysis of national recommendations, underlined the need to see the global recommendations be developed for the younger age group, to support all countries. It is proposed a need for universally new recommendations to go beyond just physical activity intensity levels and to consider how young children’s development can be supported in a versatile way by physically active play. Also age specific recommendations are offered for appropriate and purposeful physical activity to support early years and school aged children’s overall development. The findings also suggest educational recommendations for staff members of early childhood education and care settings to know appropriate and age specific recommendations to ensure they are able to support young children to reach the national and global recommendations. Research recommendations are also proposed.
Metadata
Item Type:Book Section
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Physical activity; recommendations; early years’ children; national differences
Subjects:Medical Sciences > Exercise
Medical Sciences > Health
Social Sciences > Education
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of Arts Education & Movement
Publisher:Slovak Scientific Society for Physical Education and Sport
Copyright Information:© 2019 Federation Internationale D'Education Physique
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:24396
Deposited On:06 May 2020 12:54 by Thomas Murtagh . Last Modified 01 Mar 2023 14:06
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[thumbnail of FIEP book 2019 chapter by AIESEP SIG for early years - PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RECOMMENDATIONS F.pdf]
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