Articles

Together we grow stronger. On this news page we share the latest updates, inspiring ideas and innovative solutions to make your journey even better. From new courses to real-life examples: discover everything you need here.

Do you have a great story or a golden tip yourself? Let us know!

Outdoor play receives too little structural attention

Outdoor play receives too little structural attention

Structural attention to outdoor play is lacking in national and municipal policy. Outdoor play has been under pressure in recent years. Traffic congestion, urbanisation and insufficient play space restrict children in their desire to play outdoors. This is evident from an exploratory study by the Mulier Institute into current policy on outdoor play in the Netherlands and Europe. The study was conducted as part of the National Sports Agreement, which aims to promote sufficient physical activity and good movement skills among young people.

Space in the curriculum for innovative food education with GrowWizzKid

Space in the curriculum for innovative food education with GrowWizzKid

It is not very surprising that knowledge about the origins and characteristics of what we eat every day is inadequate. Consumers, including students, often have little knowledge about where our food comes from and how it is produced. They have also not learned how to make choices based on this knowledge. In itself, that is strange, because food affects everyone. By placing responsibility for food production in the hands of children and young people, food takes on a different meaning. And that is exactly what the GrowWizzKid teaching method does.

One in four secondary school students experiences stress due to school and homework

One in four secondary school students experiences stress due to school and homework

One in four secondary school students experiences stress due to school and homework, one in five due to the pressure of everything combined, one in ten due to other people’s opinions, and one in twelve due to the situation at home. Students in grades 7 and 8 most often experience stress from other people’s opinions. This is evident from the report ‘Happiness Under Pressure’, commissioned by UNICEF Netherlands. For the report, the Trimbos Institute, together with Utrecht University and Stichting Alexander, conducted research.

Benefits of a sleep exercise therapist as part of the school care team

Benefits of a sleep exercise therapist as part of the school care team

Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can seriously hinder the daily functioning of children (and their parents). Sleep problems often lead to all kinds of physical and mental problems, both at home and at school. These may include concentration problems, tension at home and at school, a bad mood and difficult behavior, reduced resistance, (more) pain, anxiety, overweight or diabetes. A sleep exercise therapist can help.

Online meeting on quality development and lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic

Online meeting on quality development and lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic

The Netherlands Youth Institute and the Support Centre for Appropriate Education are organising a free online meeting on 7 October for professionals working in inter-school facilities and education partnerships. The first part focuses on quality development and the supervisory framework of the Inspectorate of Education. The second part addresses lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic, such as the added value of doorstep conversations and the possibilities of distance learning.

Reopening of schools is going well, although there are challenges surrounding staff shortages

Reopening of schools is going well, although there are challenges surrounding staff shortages

There are more pupils at school, progress is generally stable, and schools are generally satisfied with the first week of fully reopening. This is according to a survey conducted by the General Association of School Leaders (AVS) among 726 school principals. However, school leaders are still seeing problems related to staff shortages. According to virtually all school leaders, more investment is needed to address the staff shortage.

‘Teach children to cope with uncertainty’

‘Teach children to cope with uncertainty’

Over the past few weeks, the fear of coronavirus infection has led parents to keep their children at home, while schools and childcare centres have refused children with runny noses. The RIVM has now provided clarity about colds in young children, but as long as there is no medicine or vaccine for this coronavirus, we will continue to live with fear and uncertainty, observes Anita Kraak, senior adviser at the Netherlands Youth Institute. “Fear is a poor counsellor when it overrides the interests of the child. We must teach children how to cope with uncertainty.”

More than a quarter of primary school pupils have below-average motor skills

More than a quarter of primary school pupils have below-average motor skills

More than a quarter of primary school pupils have below-average motor skills. Among 4–6-year-olds, this is 28%; among 6–9-year-olds, 29%; and among 9–12-year-olds, 25%. This is shown by the results of the MQ Scan, which was administered in 2019 to more than 70,000 pupils at 428 primary schools. The scan was developed by The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Athletic Skills Model.

Webinar Girls in Times of Corona

Webinar Girls in Times of Corona

For students who do not feel comfortable in a group, going back to school is quite daunting. And for girls, this may manifest itself differently than for boys. How does the school recognize a girl who needs help? And how can you help her? In the webinar ‘Girls in Times of Corona’, held on 13 May, Pierre Pas, senior educational adviser, and Marieke Martens, child coach, answer the question of how you as a teacher and/or parent can give this a practical interpretation.

ALDI makes healthy food more appealing to children with magical Disney characters

ALDI makes healthy food more appealing to children with magical Disney characters

Since Monday, 11 May, two healthy Wheel of Five products featuring enchanting Disney characters have been available on ALDI shelves under the name Disney Kitchen. They feature various Disney princesses, such as Rapunzel and Jasmine. In this way, ALDI aims to make it more appealing for children and their parents to choose healthy alternatives: eating healthily has never been so much fun! The products are snack carrots and whole-wheat rolls. Later this year, more healthy products featuring other Disney characters will be added to the range.

Safe swimming: preventing drowning among young newcomers

Safe swimming: preventing drowning among young newcomers

It looks like it will be a warm summer, and swimming is allowed again. Every year, dozens of people drown in the Netherlands. Among teenagers with a non-Western background, the mortality rate from drowning is more than seven times higher than among teenagers with a Dutch background. That is why Pharos, together with GGD GHOR Nederland, VeiligheidNL, Nationale Raad Zwemveiligheid and COA, is once again drawing attention to water safety.

PreviousNext