Act2Act - physical activity of children age 3-6

Two out of five young children do not get enough physical activity, and one in five shows concerning motor development. Despite the attention given to this issue, efforts to change this have not been sufficiently...

Centre of Expertise Health Innovation

Beter bewegen van 3-6 jarige kinderen (ACT2ACT)

Background

Two out of five young children do not get enough physical activity, and one in five shows concerning motor development. Despite the attention given to this issue, efforts to change this have not been sufficiently successful. To reverse this trend, we are developing an innovative approach through ACT2ACT together with a large consortium. The name ACT2ACT was not chosen by chance. It is an acronym for ACTive systems to ACTivate young children. This captures the project's main objective: improving the system for stimulating physical activity in young children.

Based on a literature review, research among children, parents, and professionals, and sessions with stakeholders regarding young children, we identify factors that can lead to systemic change and ultimately to more and better physical activity among children aged 3 to 6. Systemic change aims to bring about lasting change by altering the underlying structures and supporting mechanisms that cause the system to function in a particular way. Examples include policy, procedures, relationships, funding, power structures, and values.

In two learning communities in the Haaglanden and Groningen regions, together with involved parties, we translate the factors into concrete actions, interventions, and policy measures for the home, childcare, education, and outdoor spaces. We test these in practice and map the changes. We share the approach and lessons learned via a platform with various target groups so that other regions, parents, and (future) professionals can also get to work with them.

This research is being conducted with funding from ZonMw and builds upon existing collaborations such as the SPRONG consortium MOOI PASS, the Sport and Exercise Professorship Platform, and various other ZonMw and SIA projects such as Start (V)aardig and Actief Fundament, as well as ZonMw Living Labs such as Beweegtoppers.

Goal and target group

With ACT2ACT, we aim to bring about a systemic change that helps preserve the intrinsic motivation to move among children aged 3 to 6 years. We do this by:

  1. Identifying “leverage points” for systemic change in the physical activity behaviour of children aged 3 to 6;
  2. Designing and monitoring a systemic approach in two regions;
  3. Sharing the lessons learned through a platform with various target groups, enabling others to apply and build on these insights.

Duration

This project runs from November 2024 to September 2027.

Collaboration

The consortium collaborating at ACT2ACT consists of no fewer than 42 partners. These partners come from higher professional education (HBO), secondary vocational education (MBO), university education (WO), and the field, but also include advocacy groups and entrepreneurs, for example. The primary focus is collaboration with children, parents, and professionals to work towards systemic change that enables young children to move more, better, and with more enjoyment.

The research is conducted in two learning communities in the Haaglanden and Groningen regions, consisting of professionals from childcare, education, the Public Health Service (GGD), municipalities, entrepreneurs, and providers of physical activity programs or products for children or parents.

Practice Partners

Municipality of The Hague, Municipality of Rijswijk, GGD Haaglanden, Haaglanden beweegt, primary school CBS Melodie, primary school De Horizon Buitenhof, Up Kinderopvang Admiraal Helfrichsingel, Community Center De Mussen, Childcare De Mussen, Parents' Council Kansrijk en Gezond, Municipality of Groningen, House for Sport Groningen, Integral Child Center Borgman Ebbinge Groningen, Stichting Kinderopvang Groningen Groningen and Child Center Wiekslag Blijham.

Entrepreneurs

Start Grow, Monkey Moves, Thematic play with behavior, BYCS. Org, Aapjeskooi, Electronics, Health Development Institute B.V., Springlab B.V. and Jonge Beweeghelden.

Advisory Board

Knowledge Centre Sport and Exercise, Exercise Alliance, Sportinnovator, Sport Data Valley, Jantje Beton, Association Sport and Municipalities, Royal Association for Physical Education, Childcare, Dutch Association for Pediatric Physiotherapy, Trade Association Play and Movement, NOC*NSF, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences.

Method

This project spans several years and involves more than 40 partners. To manage this effectively, four work packages have been established. Each work package has a different focus to ensure the success of the entire project. The focus per package is:

Work Package 1: System Exploration

Based on desk research, field research in the Haaglanden and Groningen regions among children, parents, and professionals, and sessions with stakeholders regarding young children, we identify factors that can lead to systemic change and ultimately to more and better physical activity among children aged 3 to 6. By developing system diagrams together with regional stakeholders, it becomes clear how the factors influencing the physical activity behavior of young children in the local context are interconnected, and which leverage points offer opportunities to bring about system change. The stakeholder power maps, identifying the actors needed to bring about sustainable structural change within the system, together with the system diagrams, serve as the foundation for developing region-specific systems approaches in the second work package.

Work Package 2: Systemic Approach

In the second work package, together with stakeholders from the learning communities, we will develop concrete actions, interventions, and policy measures that impact the leverage points. Subsequently, we will examine whether this combined approach contributes to changes in the system in the two regions.

Work Package 3: Valorization

The goal of this work package is to disseminate the insights gained and the project results from the two regions to various target groups, including parents, professionals, and students.

Work Package 4: Project Management

To achieve the goals of ACT2ACT, the project organization consists of an optimal mix of representatives from knowledge institutions, childcare, education, municipalities, neighborhood and youth care, the Public Health Service (GGD), and outdoor play, sports, and physical activity organizations. These parties take seats on the Steering Committee, Project Group, the learning communities in the Haaglanden and Groningen regions, and/or the Advisory Board.

Team

Funding

Funding comes from the ZonMw MOOI in Beweging program and falls under the theme Children and young people move less and their motor skills are deteriorating. Want to know more about this theme? Visit the website.

Contact

Sanne de Vries ([email protected])