Mum, are you taking that exit? Then I’ll take this one. Ready? Ready Steady Go!’ And off we go. My son (just 4), daughter (almost 1.5) and I ‘race’ to childcare via the ‘motorway exit’ just before half past seven. My son chooses his own mode of transport: white ride-on car, balance bike or big boy’s bicycle. My daughter often runs after him, still a little wobbly. Once we arrive at childcare, we proudly wave through the window at the ‘teacher’, who enthusiastically waves back, after which we cheerfully press the doorbell.

Every Monday and Tuesday we experience the same adventure. First we drive calmly along the ‘ordinary road’ (read: pavement alongside the road for cars), and then race on the motorway (read: a designated pedestrian path). We enter my son’s world of imagination together. What fun, wonderful!

But that is not the only thing that makes me happy. I think it is very important that my children get plenty of exercise every day. It is important for their development, and with our ‘race’ we promote it in a fun and easy way! After all, however you look at it, the journey to childcare has to be made. This way, I combine what is necessary (going to childcare) with movement. Exercise really is part of our daily routine and it gives us pleasure, lots of pleasure. It really could not be any easier, could it? I also see simple and fun opportunities for childcare centres to add even more movement to the day! With this blog, I want to inspire and motivate you to do so!

Encouraging movement in the youngest children is extremely important! Recent research by VUmc, commissioned by the Knowledge Centre for Sport, shows that movement has a positive effect on the motor and cognitive development of young children.

It is therefore no coincidence that during the event ‘Keep It Moving’ by the Knowledge Centre for Sport , childcare practitioners, managers and pedagogical coaches, among others, mapped out what is involved in movement for the youngest children. Curious about the results? You can see them in the mind map.

The main message? Bringing more movement into the day does not have to be complicated if you make use of the following three tips.

  1. Keep it simple! – Exercising to music or dancing in front of the mirror. How often do you do that? Or how often do you come up with (together with the children) fun games using simple materials such as beer mats and clothes pegs? Don’t make it more difficult than necessary. Would you like to practise some games? Send me an email ([email protected]) and I will be happy to send you a set of beer mats to try out.
  2. Incorporate movement into daily activities! – How can you get children to move more without it being an additional ‘activity’? For example, by letting toddlers climb onto the table themselves and allowing them to put on their own coats. Or by holding circle discussions standing up instead of sitting down, with children standing in hoops. It does indeed take a little extra time, but don’t forget: movement is growth!
  3. Fun is the most important thing! – Last but not least: what do children enjoy? Look at their response and focus on what they like!

While writing this blog, I suddenly realised that with our ‘race’ we also make use of these tips: a simple, enjoyable daily activity that focuses on movement!

Would you like to get started? On the Knowledge Centre for Sport website you will find tips to encourage children and tools that can help you with this.