Active Fundament — building better motor skills and activity for preschoolers
An Active Fundament, Fundamentally Better: From an Early Age, Moving Well and Moving Enough as the Basis for a Lifetime of Physical Activity.
This project will try a program in childcare centers to help 2–6-year-olds and their educators increase children's physical activity and basic motor skills.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 2 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fontys University of Applied Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Maastricht, Limburg and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07315009 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This longitudinal, quasi-experimental program tests a training and support intervention delivered to pedagogical staff in 18 child centers (9 intervention, 9 control) to increase physical activity and fundamental motor skills in children aged 2–6 years. The approach combines on-site educator support, practical activity integration during the workday, and changes to the early childhood education and care environment. Children and staff are followed over time to measure changes in children's motor skill development and daily activity levels. The project also aims to produce a scalable package that other centers can adopt after the study.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are children aged 2–6 years who attend one of the participating child centers and the pedagogical staff and managers who work there.
Not a fit: Children who do not attend participating centers, children outside the 2–6 age range, or centers that do not fully implement the program may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help preschool children develop stronger motor skills, be more active daily, and give educators practical tools to make activity part of the day.
How similar studies have performed: Previous early-childhood education interventions have shown modest improvements in young children's physical activity and motor skills, so this approach builds on supportive but variable evidence and targets improved scalability.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children must be in the child center in the recruitment period(s) * Professionals in ECEC and management must be working at the child center during the recruitment period.
Where this trial is running
Maastricht, Limburg and 2 other locations
- Maastricht University — Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Fontys Sport en Bewegen — Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands (Recruiting)
- Hogeschool van Amsterdam — Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jasper de Graef, Master of Arts
- Email: j.degraef@fontys.nl
- Phone: +31623635013
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.