Moving Kindergartens: Protocol for a 10-week feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Childhood Education
• Public Health Intervention
• Pedagogical Research

Background:

• Daily physical activity is crucial for children's development.
• Kindergartens present a key setting for promoting healthy movement habits.
• Interventions require careful design for successful implementation in early childhood settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a co-designed intervention promoting daily movement and joy of movement in Danish kindergartens.
• To assess the effectiveness of implementation strategies for intervention adoption.
• To examine the feasibility of measurement and procedures for a future effectiveness study.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods design was employed over a 10-week intervention period.
• Intervention components were co-designed with pedagogical staff, leaders, experts, and researchers.
• Strategies included formal project establishment, integration into existing structures, staff training, and inspirational materials.

Main Results:

• The co-design approach ensured contextual relevance and shared ownership, enhancing intervention acceptability.
• The mixed-methods evaluation design and tailored strategies strengthened the study's rigor.
• Feasibility of the intervention and evaluation design was assessed to inform future research.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative co-design is vital for creating relevant, acceptable, and sustainable interventions in early childhood settings.
• The feasibility study provides a strong foundation for refining the intervention and planning a future effectiveness trial.
• This research highlights the importance of integrated approaches to promote children's movement in kindergartens.