Movement and physical activity in early childhood education and care policies of five nordic countries.

The study investigates the value of movement and physical activity in public policy documents, such as laws and curricula, for kindergartens in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The purpose is to identify and discuss similarities and differences between the laws and curricula for kindergartens in the Nordic countries. The research questions are: 1) What terms related to movement and physical activity (MoPA) exist? 2) In what context are the terms related to movement and physical activity (MoPA) used? 3) Are movement and physical activity (MoPA) expressed as an end in themselves or as a means to achieve other ends?

Seven terms related to movement and physical activity were identified in the policy documents: development, environment, expressiveness, health and well-being, learning and play. Movement and physical activity were described both as an end in themselves and as a means to achieve other ends, such as learning or development in another area. Specific formulations dedicated to movement and physical activity as an end were found in Danish and Finnish curricula, and to some extent also in the Norwegian curriculum, while the Icelandic and Swedish curriculums mentioned it mainly as a means. The results indicate that movement and physical activity, which are important for children's development, health and well-being, are to varying degrees a low priority value area in the kindergarten policy adopted by the Nordic countries, and that the guidance given to educators is imprecise.

The researchers collected national public policy documents (laws and curricula) from the five countries and identified keywords related to movement and physical activity. They then performed an analysis of word frequency in each document to see which keywords were used and how frequently they occurred. Subsequently, these words were compared across countries.

Sollerhed, A. C., Olesen, L. G., Froberg, K., Soini, A., Sääkslahti, A., Kristjánsdóttir, G., Vilhjálmsson, R., Fjørtoft, I., Larsen, R. & Ekberg, J. E. (2021). "Movement and physical activity in early childhood education and care policies of five nordic countries". International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(24):13226.