Enabling a healthy start in life through physical activity
Every child should be able to enjoy the benefits of physical activity, establishing a solid base for a life filled with energy, happiness and good health
Join the Movement
Every child should be able to enjoy the benefits of physical activity, establishing a solid base for a life filled with energy, happiness and good health. Extensive research has consistently shown that regular physical activity improves a child’s physical, mental and social wellbeing and enhances their ability to learn and think. Maintaining an active lifestyle from an early age into adulthood is widely recognised to be crucial in improving brain health and weight management, reducing the risk of disease, and strengthening bones and muscles.
Active Lifestyle from an early age
Engaging in physical activity has numerous benefits in terms of social, mental and physical health and well-being for children and adolescents.
Regular physical activity is effective at preventing and managing several noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In addition, physical activity plays a crucial role in preventing hypertension and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Physical activity also has the potential to enhance mental health, overall quality of life and general well-being.
Adaptable and inclusive
MOVE For Fun is designed to be adaptable and inclusive while ensuring the success and sustainability of local activities.
The MOVE For Fun concept expands the successful Jump4Fun model already effectively implemented in 39 municipalities across Denmark by DGI. This concept has been further developed by incorporating valuable insights and advice from similar programmes worldwide, thanks to the network of ISCA members, experts and partners.
The underlying principle of the model is rooted in the didactic relationship approach. It is designed to be adaptable to local circumstances while providing ample guidance, resources and capacity-building support to ensure the success and sustainability of activities by the local delivery organisation.
Core principles of MOVE For Fun
Inclusion
Activities are carefully designed to ensure that all team members feel included and can fully appreciate their participation. There is a strong emphasis on fostering engagement amongst all the children involved.
Involvement
The specific activities are co-designed with the children, allowing them to have a say and actively participate in decision-making. They contribute their ideas and have a shared responsibility in implementing these activities.
Enjoyment
First and foremost, activities should be fun! There is respect for other motivations among the participating children, but the intrinsic enjoyment of playing is core to the programme.
Evaluation
Children, even those in preschool years, actively take part in age-appropriate assessments of the sessions. They also express their thoughts and feelings about the activities during and after the sessions.
Pilot case studies
United Kingdom
Argentina
Poland
Learn more about the MOVE For Fun pilot programme in Argentina
“A lot of the children from these neighbourhoods aren’t having so much fun, and they face challenging circumstances every day, so joy through movement is absolutely our main goal.”
About the partners
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 61,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries.
ISCA
International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) is a global umbrella association with an active community of 3,669 MOVE Agents and a democratic backbone of 81 member organisations, all of which are national and local promoters of sport, play and physical activity. We develop and deploy concepts to empower organisations worldwide to get citizens from all walks of life more physically active.
DGI
DGI is the biggest “sport for all” association in Denmark, focusing exclusively on strengthening and promoting physical activity and sport participation for all citizens through local clubs and communities. DGI collaborates with a wide range of partners to promote health and social wellbeing. The organisation has 6,600 member associations with 1.7 million volunteers. More than 30,000 volunteers, coaches and leaders attend courses at DGI every year.