Joy, play and doing together (2016)

New Finnish recommendations for physical activity in early childhood. The recommendations are founded on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The recommendations are based on scientific information on how the adults interacting with under eight-year-olds can facilitate the realisation of the rights of children by comprehensive support for their growth, development, health and wellbeing through physical activities. 

Studies have shown that physical activity promotes the child’s physical, cognitive, psychological, emotional and social development. The scientific knowledge base of the recommendations has also been published.

The Recommendations for physical activity in early childhood inform about the amount and type of physical activity for the under eight-year-old, roles of the physical, psychological and social environments, and planning and implementation of guided physical exercise and education on exercise as part of early childhood education. 

The recommendations are intended for parents, early childhood education teachers, physical exercise and healthcare professionals, and other organisations and individuals involved in promoting physical activity, health or wellbeing among under eight-year-olds.