More Physical Activity for Young Children

Children’s physical activity behavior is worrying

Two out of five young children do not get enough physical activity, and one in three shows concerning motor development (Koolwijk et al., 2024). These findings highlight the need for early interventions. The current range of interventions is insufficient to bring about change on a national scale (Koolwijk et al., 2023). Most physical activity interventions for young children have not yet been developed from a systemic or integrated perspective, meaning they often fail to take into account the broader context of the systems in which children and their parents/caregivers operate. Experts agree that an integrated, multi-level approach is necessary to address physical activity promotion among young children as a societal challenge (Singh et al., 2023).

Designing systemic change

Within the Act2Act project, researchers therefore collaborate with 42 partners from education, business, public health services (GGD), healthcare professionals, community centers, childcare organizations, municipalities, and sports federations and clubs. The most important stakeholders are parents and children themselves. Working at this scale enables the creation of systemic change. All partners contribute to developing the approach, each bringing their own expertise.

The approach combines several methods. First, the “levers” for systemic change in the physical activity behavior of children aged 3–6 are identified. In addition, system-based approaches are developed in the Haaglanden (The Hague and surrounding) and Groningen regions. Ultimately, lessons learned will be actively shared with target groups via a platform, enabling everyone to engage with systemic change. 

Partners work together to develop the approach, each contributing their own expertise.

Unique research method

The combination of research methods includes a unique form of participatory action research: Photovoice. Children actively participate by completing (together with parents/caregivers or teachers) a Doeboekje: a workbook with simple questions about physical activity. The workbook also includes a photo assignment: taking pictures of places where they enjoy being active and places where they do not. Children do this in three contexts: at home, around the home, and in their neighborhood. They go out with a parent to take the photos. To connect with their world of experience, children receive a stuffed monkey (Arie the Monkey), which they place in the photos at locations where they enjoy being active. After completing the assignment, they get to keep the monkey.

The Photovoice method is used in research as a tool to give voice to complex target groups or complex issues. Children aged 3–6 often find it difficult to express themselves fully in interviews. By using photos, the researchers hope to still engage in meaningful short conversations.

The Photovoice method is used as a tool to amplify the voices of complex target groups and address complex issues.

Physical activity is for everyone

Health inequalities continue to grow, and this project aims to counteract them through systemic change. Within Act2Act, measures have been taken to promote equity in various ways. In the Haaglanden region, several neighborhoods in The Hague and Rijswijk are involved, which researchers expect will lead to greater diversity among participants and better representation of the region’s population. Differences between boys and girls are also considered, as well as children from single-parent households.

By involving community centers and municipalities, children are also reached who are not already members of sports clubs or whose parents lack the financial means to provide paid after-school activities. Through this inclusive research approach, researchers aim to answer the question: How can we preserve the intrinsic motivation to move among children aged 3–6?

Want to read more about this project and its progress? Visit the project page.