The Early Years Special Interest Group have completed a publication, published by Federation International d’Education Physique special edition on ‘Researches – Best practices – Situations’.
The publication focused on the 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. This type of analysis has not been completed before. The ten sample countries included (Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, United Kingdom and the United States of America) and questioned whether the global daily physical activity recommendations (WHO, 2010) currently applied at time of analysis are used for the early years’ age group on a national level or if they needed to be adjusted in light of the new guidelines.
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. The content of physical activity mostly included the total amount and intensity. The total daily amount of physical activity varies between 60 minutes moderate to vigorous intensity up to 180 minutes total light to moderate intensity physical activity. 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, underlined the need to extend further the new global recommendations to consider how young children’s development can be supported in a versatile way by physically active play. Age specific recommendations are offered for appropriate and purposeful physical activity to support overall development. The findings also suggest educational recommendations for staff members to know age specific recommendations to ensure they are able to support young children to reach the recommendations. Research recommendations are also proposed.
Here is a link to the publication: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337033411_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
