S16-1 Get Finland Moving programme

BackgroundHealthy movement behaviours in early life promote better physical health and facilitate psychological development. Early childhood education (ECE) institutions provide opportunities for caregivers to improve children’s movement behaviour practices, but little is known about the current status of movement behaviours among infants and young children in urban China in this context. We aimed to investigate the movement behaviour status of children under two years of age via ECE institutions and compare movement behaviour practices and knowledge between children attending ECE classes and those not attending.MethodsWe conducted the cross-sectional survey from 1 March to 30 April 2023 in Gymboree Play&Music, an ECE institution covering 31 provinces in China. We developed our survey instrument based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to measure children’s movement behaviour practices and caregivers’ movement behaviour knowledge. We carried out the online questionnaire survey through Sojump, the largest professional online survey platform in China. We sent a quick response (QR) code to Gymboree Play&Music centres; the QR code was linked to a questionnaire intended for caregiver members and non-members coming for experience classes and activities.ResultsWe surveyed 3355 primary caregivers, encompassing 504, 536, and 2315 children aged 0-5 months, 6-11 months, and 12-23 months, respectively. Overall, less than half of the children met recommendations in physical activity time (PAT) (19.2%), physical restraint (PR) (45.8%), and screen time (ST) (46.4%) during the last 24 hours. PAT, outdoor time (OT), and sleep duration (SD) in children aged 0-5 months were significantly lower than in the other two age groups, while ST was significantly higher than in the other two age groups during the last 24 hours (all P < 0.001). For children attending ECE classes, PAT, OT, and SD were significantly higher than those not attending ECE during the last 24 hours and the last two weeks (all P < 0.05). All indicators in the long-nursing care time (NCT) group were significantly higher than those in the short-NCT group, while there was no statistical difference in SD between the two groups (66.6% vs 65.6%; P = 0.558).ConclusionsThe status of movement behaviours for children under two years old in urban China is not optimistic, especially for PAT, PR, and ST. Additionally, attending early childhood education classes and primary caregivers’ daily nurturing care time are important for infants and young children to adhere to movement guidelines. Consequently, more ECE institution-specific practical strategies and educational materials are needed to promote compliance with movement behaviour guidelines.

Background: The German Recommendations (NEBB) for Physical Activity (PA) and PA Promotion (PAP) (Rütten &amp; Pfeifer, 2016) have been identified by the Federal Ministry of Health as important framework for all stakeholders in the field (BMG, 2024). An update of the NEBB appears necessary, among other reasons, due to recent recommendations and action plans from the World Health Organization and the absence of guidelines for additional target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, pregnant women). Moreover, similar to other PA guidelines, the NEBB have not addressed issues related to planetary health. Methods: To integrate sector-relatedness, health equity, and planetary health into the PAP recommendations, a three-step process will be undertaken. First, recent evidence syntheses about PAP and impacts of PA on planetary health will be compiled. Second, expert interviews with scientists and stakeholders will be conducted. The purpose of these interviews is to learn from the experiences of other research fields (e.g. diet/nutrition) about how to address the mentioned issues in PAP guidelines, and also to explore the ethical considerations of balancing individual health benefits from PA with potential planetary health drawbacks. In the third step, various stakeholders shall participate in a co-production approach to discuss and translate the findings in concrete PAP recommendations for relevant societal sectors, such as health, sport, traffic, etc. Results: The revised German PA promotion recommendations will include guidelines for stakeholders on how to promote PA in relevant societal/political sectors, also in a sustainable manner. Regarding planetary health however, it remains unclear whether this will be achieved by emphasising the co-benefits of certain types of PA (e.g. active transport) or by more directly addressing the negative environmental impacts of certain types of PA. The presentation will outline the results of the expert interviews (step 2) and discuss different options of the recommendations, also for integrating planetary health considerations. Conclusion: Until now, many PAP efforts have focused on target groups, adhering to the goal statement ‘every step counts’. Thus, they may have neglected sector-related factors and also avoided any mention of potential harmful environmental impacts of PA. Addressing these issues in PAP recommendations further raises practical and ethical challenges. Keywords: Physical activity, physical activity promotion, planetary health

Musicalization has become an essential practice in early childhood education, contributing significantly to the child’s overall development. This article analyzes the benefits of musicalization in early childhood, considering its cognitive, motor, social, and emotional impacts, grounded in the work of Teca Alencar de Brito. It discusses how these benefits emerge from sonic, playful, and expressive experiences integrated into school routines. Early childhood education, historically marked by assistentialist approaches, came to be recognized as a fundamental stage of basic education after the 1988 Brazilian Constitution and the 1996 Law of Guidelines and Bases (LDB), which ensured children's right to full development. In this context, music assumes a central role by dialoguing with playfulness and the multiple languages of childhood. Musicalization enhances attention, memory, phonological awareness, motor coordination, socialization, and affective expression. Developed through a literature review, this study seeks to understand how music contributes to the teaching-learning process and to the child’s holistic development. It concludes that when music is approached intentionally, sensitively, and contextually, it broadens cultural and cognitive repertoires, strengthens social bonds, and promotes children’s autonomy, establishing itself as an indispensable pedagogical practice in contemporary early childhood education.

Physical inactivity remains a critical public health concern in the UK, contributing to over one in six deaths and imposing substantial economic costs. Despite strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) promotion in healthcare settings, delivery of PA promotion remains inconsistent. This cross-sectional survey, conducted across Scotland and supported by Public Health Scotland, explored the knowledge, attitudes, and training of healthcare professionals (HCPs) across primary and secondary care in relation to PA promotion. Quantitative data were analysed employing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for categorical variables, and Kruskal-Wallis tests for Likert-scale data to explore differences by care setting and profession. A total of 409 HCPs responded, including a broad range of professions. Primary care professionals reported higher perceived knowledge in PA promotion and personal confidence in meeting PA guidelines than their secondary care colleagues. Physiotherapists and doctors reported the greatest perceived adequacy of training in, and subsequent confidence to deliver PA promotion, while nurses reported the lowest. Across all professions, most participants recognized PA as important for disease prevention (98.8%) and treatment (93.3%), but only 68% felt confident advising patients. The findings identify a disconnect between perceived value of PA and HCPs' preparedness to promote it and highlight the need for standardized, interdisciplinary PA education and the integration of consistent PA messaging across healthcare settings. Targeted educational resources and system-level initiatives could enhance practitioner competence and ensure cohesive delivery of PA promotion within Scottish healthcare.

The "Crabs in a Barrel Syndrome" (CBS), a behaviour characterised by undermining peers to maintain one’s own position, can hinder collaboration and innovation in Early Childhood Education (ECE) institutions. This study aims to examine how CBS manifests in the workplace culture of ECE teachers and to explore collaborative leadership strategies to mitigate such behaviours. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation involving 9 participants across three ECE centres in Merauke, Indonesia. Thematic analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework. The findings reveal that CBS manifests as fear of dominance, resistance to change, and avoidance of open collaboration. However, interventions such as weekly reflection forums, collective appreciation systems, and participatory leadership proved effective in fostering trust, enhancing team cohesion, and nurturing a more constructive work environment. This study concludes that organisational designs that promote psychological safety and transparent communication are essential in countering harmful competitive cultures. Theoretically, the research contributes to the understanding of micro-organisational dynamics in educational settings, while practically, it offers concrete recommendations for ECE administrators to cultivate inclusive and collaborative workplaces.

PAUD (Early Childhood Education) institutions provide appropriate educational services for early childhood, as a form of preparation for children to enter the next level of education or elementary school level, but in society is that there are parents who do not register their children at PAUD institutions, so research this study aims to explore the factors that cause parents to choose to enroll their children in primary schools without going through guidance at PAUD institutions. This research is a qualitative research with a duration of six months. Data collection was carried out with four informants using data collection techniques through interviews and documentation studies. The results of the study showed that there were four factors that caused parents not to enroll their children in PAUD institutions, namely, the education factor, the job factor, the income factor, and the time factor. Parents should be able to register their children at early childhood education institutions, so that children are better prepared for higher education and as an effort to optimize children's growth and development through educational services that are appropriate to the child's age that can be obtained at early childhood education institutions.

This article explores the current situation of outdoor play for children in Sámi Early Childhood Education and Care institutions (ECECs) in Norway. The main objective is to discover how Sámi ECEC practices contribute to outdoor play and learning in early childhood education and community contexts by addressing the following research questions: How do Sámi ECEC staff emphasize outdoor activities and play in their daily practice, and how can these activities be regarded as a way of promoting mental and physical health and well-being? The sample comprises practitioners from seven Sámi ECEC institutions (ECECs) participating in focus-group and individual interviews. The main focus of the interviews was on Sámi ECECs as health-promoting arenas, and outdoor activities appeared to be important in this context. Stepwise-Deductive Induction was used as a qualitative research strategy in the analysis. The staff underline the importance of letting children attempt to be autonomous when it comes to physical and practical activities. They point to the importance of knowing the children and encouraging autonomous achievements. Traditionally, Sámi upbringing places emphasis on doing handicraft and daily work together with the children. The staff describe doing such daily outdoor activities as harvesting, handicraft, and food preparation together with the children as a way of maintaining Sámi culture. The main conclusion is that outdoor activities are important for promoting, experiencing, and contributing to Sámi pedagogy and children’s well-being in the Sámi ECECs.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of exercise and physical activity (PA) promotion on cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, neuromotor performance (eg, balance) and daily PA in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),...

The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for cultivating the aspirants to early childhood physical education teachers by analyzing the measures for vitalizing the early childhood educational institutions focusing on parents’ perception and satisfaction according to physical activities in China where the generalization of early childhood education has not been achieved. In the results of analyzing the measures for vitalizing the early childhood educational institutions focusing on parents’ perception and satisfaction according to physical activities by extracting total 300 parents of young children who were attending the early childhood educational institution located in Shandong, China through the simple random sampling method, the conclusions were obtained as follows. Frist, in the results of analyzing the effects of parents’ perception on their satisfaction according to physical activities of early childhood educational institution in China, the cognitive development and social development as subfactors of the perception of early childhood physical education had significant effects on satisfaction of early childhood physical education. Second, in the results of analyzing the measures for vitalizing the early childhood physical education, the qualifications required for early childhood physical education teachers were shown as “excellent”. Regarding the necessity of early childhood physical education teachers, “the necessity of systematic class provided by professional teachers” was the highest. The most important element of qualifications for early childhood physical education teachers was “deep interest and understanding of young children”. in the results of analyzing the measures for vitalizing the early childhood physical education, the qualifications required for early childhood physical education teachers were shown as “excellent”. Regarding the necessity of early childhood physical education teachers, “the necessity of systematic class provided by professional teachers” was the highest. The most important element of qualifications for early childhood physical education teachers was “deep interest and understanding of young children”. Lastly, in China where the early childhood physical education was not vitalized yet, the parents perceived the positive effects of physical activities on growth and development of young children, and they were satisfied with physical activities in case the early childhood physical education was performed. In order to correctly and positively grow young children, not only physical activities, but also physical education teachers who can teach young children would be needed.

BackgroundThe Sahrawi people fled their homes in 1975 as the conflict in Western Sahara escalated and settled down near Tindouf, Algeria, where they still live. High prevalence of overweight and obesity and type 2 diabetes had been found in this protracted refugee setting. Scaling up national policy efforts to promote physical activity (PA) is critical to reducing the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the near future. One possible barrier to the inclusion of PA in NCD prevention strategies is the lack of research on PA level, which may reduce political support and policy development for PA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the PA level among adults living in Sahrawi refugee camps and socioeconomic factors associated with PA.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2014 in five refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. A total of 180 women and 175 men were included. PA was measured using the international physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF).ResultsThere was a large amount of variance in reported PA for both genders, ranging from 10 min of total PA per week to above 40 h. Forty-three percent of the participants had a low PA level (defined as not meeting the PA recommendations of 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA per day). The chi-square test of independence showed that males, those aged ≥ 60 years and people with higher education were more likely to be in the low PA level category. No significant relationship was found between PA level and BMI status. Most of the participants thought that engaging in PA would be wise, valuable, right and good but thought to a lesser degree that PA would be easy, comfortable and interesting.ConclusionsAlmost half of the participants were categorised as insufficiently physically active, however, most of the Sahrawi refugees express a positive attitude towards PA. PA is a low-cost approach to reducing deaths and NCDs, government initiatives to increase PA levels in refugee camps are advised.

Purpose – The early learning of the Qur’an, infused with Islamic values, has been widely regarded as an effective tool in preserving the natural inclinations of children and nurturing their humanity. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant obstacles to Qur’an learning in Early Childhood Education (ECE) institutions. As such, this study seeks to offer a comprehensive description of the challenges faced by these institutions in delivering their teachings during this global health crisis.Design/methods/approach – The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research. The location of this research was carried out at 4 ECE institutions. Namely: RA Al-Muslimun Nurul Islam, TKIT Asy-Syaamil Qur’anic Fullday School, Integrated Star Islamic Early Childhood Education, and RA Ulumul Qur’an Al Madani.Findings – The current COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for learning the Qur’an in ECE. These issues can be categorized as internal and external factors. Internal factors relate to teachers’ difficulties when conducting practical learning activities outside the classroom. Meeting constraints, large class sizes, and limited time duration often result in an inability to deliver a complete learning experience. Externally, learning losses in early childhood have become apparent, with children experiencing behavioral changes. Not all parents are equipped to accompany their children in instilling Islamic values based on the Qur’an at home. This issue is compounded by parental objections to tuition fees, which creates financial challenges for institutions. Finally, offline learning has been the subject of criticism from the community, which indirectly affects the learning process.Research implications/limitations – This study used a qualitative method related to the problems of learning the Qur’an in ECE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical implications – The research presents significant implications for developing Al-Qur’an learning post-pandemic. It also provides valuable insights into formulating policies about Al-Qur’an learning during pandemics. Additionally, the study sheds light on the effectiveness of character building during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/value – Potential avenues for further investigation could include examining the effects of COVID-19 on the acquisition of Qur’anic knowledge during early childhood and its potential impacts on personality development. Such research could contribute to a deeper understanding of how the pandemic has influenced educational and psychological outcomes in this context. Paper type Research paper

Social and cultural sustainability is outlined as creating surroundings that include and stimulate positive interactions, such as promoting a sense of community and a feeling of belonging to a community, by being safe and attached to the local area. Artefacts chosen in early childhood education (ECE) institutions are integrated parts of the culture in which the ECE institutions are embedded; artefacts, thus, are understood as serving belonging and cultural sustainability. The study examined what insight into cultural sustainability could be surfaced in conflicting perspectives about military artefacts in ECE. Focus group interviews were conducted with Chinese and Norwegian graduate students and ECE researchers, during which photographs of a Chinese kindergarten where military artefacts and toys were highly represented. Conflicting perspectives on military artefacts among the participant surfaced how belonging are closely intertwined with protection and where to belong: locally, nationally or internationally. The skeptical approach to military artefacts is challenged by awareness of different ways to promote national pride and entanglement among generations. The findings indicate a need for more research on conditions for belonging and the normative complexities of artefacts in cultural sustainability.

Children with special needs often require tailored learning methods to support their cognitive, physical, sensory, social-emotional, and behavioral development. Despite the importance of inclusivity in education, early childhood education (ECE) institutions face challenges in creating effective and inclusive learning environments due to limited resources, inadequate teacher training, and a lack of adaptive curriculum frameworks. Understanding the specific needs of these children through detailed profiles can help guide teaching practices and support their academic and social-emotional growth. This research aims to map the profiles of children with special needs in ECE based on a comprehensive literature review and analyze how these profiles can inform child-centered educational approaches. Using a library research methodology, the study synthesizes information from books, academic journals, and other relevant sources to build a comprehensive profile of common special needs categories in ECE. The findings reveal patterns in the prevalence of specific needs and highlight early indicators of developmental challenges. The study emphasizes the need for a responsive and inclusive educational environment, where teaching methods are adapted to meet the unique needs of each child. Recommendations include targeted training for educators on adaptive teaching strategies and inclusive classroom management, as well as advocating for resource allocation to improve supporting infrastructure. Additionally, the study suggests that policymakers consider using profiling tools as an essential component of early childhood education, enabling early identification and support for children with special needs. By integrating these practices, ECE institutions can enhance educational outcomes for all students, fostering a more inclusive learning culture that benefits children with diverse developmental needs.

PURPOSE: Promoting physical activity (PA) among physicians and patients is one of the main pillars of Exercise is Medicine® (EIM). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the PA levels of physicians and their patients in a private sports medicine clinic in Santiago, Chile, in which a printed PA prescription and a small box recommending PA as a “medicine”, are delivered to all patients. METHODS: This study examined responses from 65 physicians (75% orthopedic surgeons) and 2,688 patients. Physicians answered the short IPAQ and questions regarding how often, and how, they recommend PA to their patients. Patients (59.5% men; 40.5% women; between 25-65 years of age) answered an online survey with questions regarding the frequency and duration of their weekly PA levels. RESULTS: A small percentage of patients (26.5%) reported practicing PA five or more days per week with 86.7% reporting 30-90 minutes per day. Results from the physicians showed that just 26.1 % reached the recommendation of at least 150 min/week of PA, and 55% reported not performing any resistance exercise. The median time sitting and attending patients was 6.1 hours per day. Median frequency of moderate and vigorous PA was 2 days/week for a duration of 45 minutes and 2 days/week and 30 minutes/day, respectively. In regards to their PA counseling attitudes and practices, 66% of the physicians considered it their responsibility to help their patients become physically active, 55% agreed that if they were physically active themselves they will have better capacity to counselling PA, and 40% of the physicians evaluating the PA levels of their patients and always recommending PA for them. Although 89% of the physicians in the clinic agreed to use PA prescription with their patients, just 50% delivered a written PA prescription. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, we conclude that physicians who are regularly involved with patients in a sports medicine clinic are aware of the importance of evaluating the PA levels of their patients, but that they need to improve their regular practice of prescribing PA to their patients.

BackgroundPhysical activity has become a major public health concern even in early childhood. This article exemplifies physical activity promotion in practice as described by public health nurses from Finnish primary health care.MethodWe gathered the data by purposive sampling in five regional focus groups with 24 informants working in child health clinics provided for all families with children below school age. Statements associated with physical activity promotion were extracted out of verbatim transcripts. Frequency counting complemented qualitative analysis of the content of statements.FindingsChild-centred evaluation provided by public health nurses focused on motor development, basic sporting skills and amount of activities outdoors and play and exercising habits of the child. Family-centred evaluation focused on the general activity level of the family or a member of the family and resources for physical activity. Activation and support included nearly the same issues brought up for discussion during check-ups, as a basis for counselling, or as points of reinforcement. Contradictory to a family approach in health care, most of the statements (78% out of 223 statements) were child centred. Forcefulness of statements revealed that assessment of physical abilities, including motor development, was the only topic applied with every child. Other topics were more selectively targeted for children and families with mild special needs: for example overweight, clumsy, insomniac, or restless children and sedentary families.ConclusionsEven though special needs should receive specific attention in health care, we suggest more concern on physical activity of every child and the whole family in practice in order to meet modern health promotional challenges. Although the Finnish child health clinic system is unique due to its vast coverage and frequent contacts with every child and the family, the findings from this explorative research might inspire other community practitioners to start analysing their own work in view of this research.