A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
A comparative analysis of movement and physical activity in early childhood teacher education policy in five Nordic countries (2024)


Breum Christiansen, L., Ekberg, J.-E., Soini, A., Larsen, R., Kristjánsdóttir, G., Froberg, K., Sollerhed, A.-C., Sääkslahti, A., Fjørtoft, I., Vilhjálmsson, R., & Grønholt Olesen, L. (2024). A comparative analysis of movement and physical activity in early childhood teacher education policy in five Nordic countries. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, Article 1352520. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1352520


JYU-tekijät tai -toimittajat


Julkaisun tiedot

Julkaisun kaikki tekijät tai toimittajatBreum Christiansen, Lars; Ekberg, Jan-Eric; Soini, Anne; Larsen, Robert; Kristjánsdóttir, Gudrún; Froberg, Karsten; Sollerhed, Ann-Christin; Sääkslahti, Arja; Fjørtoft, Ingunn; Vilhjálmsson, Rúnar; et al.

Lehti tai sarjaFrontiers in Sports and Active Living

eISSN2624-9367

Julkaisuvuosi2024

Ilmestymispäivä05.04.2024

Volyymi6

Artikkelinumero1352520

KustantajaFrontiers Media SA

JulkaisumaaSveitsi

Julkaisun kielienglanti

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1352520

Julkaisun avoin saatavuusAvoimesti saatavilla

Julkaisukanavan avoin saatavuusKokonaan avoin julkaisukanava

Julkaisu on rinnakkaistallennettu (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94296


Tiivistelmä

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the integration of movement and physical activity (MoPA) within Early Childhood Teacher Education (ECTE) policies across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. This knowledge can inform the development of ECTE policies and practices that promote MoPA in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Nordic countries and other countries worldwide.

Methods: In this study, a Nordic cross-national network of researchers collaborated in investigating policy documents at the national and university levels, which govern the education of ECEC teachers. This study was inspired by the Non-affirmative Theory of Education, which provides a framework for understanding the various influences on curricular development in higher education. Based on this, a four-step comparative analytical process of national and university documents across the Nordic countries was conducted. It included keyword search for MoPA related courses and a qualitative description of MoPA in ECTE. Thus, a combination of investigations of policy documents at the national and university level and expert knowledge set a solid foundation for international comparison.

Results: The comparative analysis of MoPA in ECTE reveals diverse approaches influenced by national and university policies. A central theme is the variability in MoPA integration across these nations. Finland and Norway prioritize MoPA with independent mandatory courses. In Iceland, compulsory MoPA courses exist at one of two universities, and in Sweden at three out of 19. All university colleges in Denmark offer an elective course. Furthermore, learning objectives related to MoPA are, to varying degrees, part of the internships in the countries, with Sweden being an exception. In the participating countries, the teachers decide the content of the MoPA courses with little guidance, support, and agreement on essential MoPA content within and across the ECTE's. Norway has established guidelines, and in Finland, there is a network of ECTE Physical Education (PE) educators, which, to some degree, increases the consistency and quality of MoPA in education.

Discussion: The Nordic countries present diverse MoPA integration approaches rooted in national policies and educational traditions. The findings emphasize the necessity of independent and mandatory MoPA courses, integration of MoPA into internships and promoting networks across the educational and academic sectors to equip future early childhood educators with competencies for fostering physical activity, motor development and children's well-being.


YSO-asiasanatesikouluikäisetfyysinen aktiivisuusfyysinen kehitysvarhaiskasvatusvarhaiskasvatuksen opettajatopettajankoulutuskoulutuspolitiikkakansainvälinen vertailu

Vapaat asiasanateducation policies; preschool; early childhood education; international comparison; physical development and movement


Liittyvät organisaatiot


OKM-raportointiKyllä

VIRTA-lähetysvuosi2024

Alustava JUFO-taso1


Viimeisin päivitys 2024-03-07 klo 01:25