11 Physical activity as a component of teacher training

Physical activity in children’s day-care facilities is of increasing
significance, due to the fact that children are increasingly earlier
and also longer attended in day-care centres. Physical activity
should become a vital part in teacher training to achieve
an optimal infantile physical activity education. Municipalities
should bear this in mind and review the scope and quality of
the physical education element in teacher training together
with sports associations.

Children have the elementary need to move. However, unfortunately
their everyday life often no longer offers them enough opportunities
for this. Increased media use often restricts the natural
instinct to play that children have. And so it is all the more important
that their parents and adults in their direct environment are good
role models for the children. The pre-school teachers should have
totally absorbed the importance of exercise, lead an active life and
ensure that everyday life in child care facilities are activity-friendly
so that the children can learn from their role models.

Therefore, leading a healthy active life should be just as much a
part of teacher training as formal physical education. Municipalities
should as far as possible consult with the teacher-training insitutions
and exchange information to ensure that the idea of physical
activity is rooted in teacher-training.

1. Pre-school teachers receive a sound training in physical education
and an awareness for the importance of exercise and the
knowledge of the appropriate measures to embed a culture of
physical activity in the day-to-day life in kindergarten.

2. Municipalities and other responible bodies should speak up for
developing and offering appropriate further education measures
for pre-school teachers. Such concepts for further education
can for instance be worked out in local round table discussions
with relevant partners, such as sports organisations and
health insurance companies.

3. Municipalities and other responsible bodies should hire physical
activity expert staff (e. g. sports scientists, educators for physical
activity etc.) to coach and educate the present staff in the institution
directly.

Best Practice Cologne (DE)

Training for pre-school teachers

The city’s sports alliance Cologne offers pre-school teachers
an education in physical activity promotion (120 hours). Like
this the expertise of the occupational field of the sports associations
can be transmitted in the daily life of the day-care
centers.