Table 3 Results from parents’ and teachers’ opinions on preschoolers’ physical activity

Opinion on preschoolers’ physical activity levels

Preschoolers are sufficiently active.

Preschoolers are already very active. They also have to learn to sit still in preparation for primary school.

It is not necessary to increase their physical activity level.

How to increase preschoolers’ physical activity levels

Being a role model for the child.

Using the hallway, the dining-hall or other spaces to do movement activities.

Playing together with the child.

Organizing a sports day or an “Olympic day”.

Let the child participate in organized activities.

Let the children bring their bicycle, roller-skates or rollerblades to preschool.

Regularly going outside with the children.

Morning gymnastics.

Traditional-, balance- and team games.

Facilitators to increase preschoolers’ physical activity

Having friends and/or siblings; having cousins’ and/or neighbours’ children; preschool providing sports activities; having an environment which invites the children to be active; having acquaintances with children from the same age, size of the garden, space at home.

Available facilities, enough space, stimulating material, availability of the gym room

Children’s reactions (smiling, having fun, being happy); parents’ approval; children’s joy of being allowed to experience things by themselves.

Barriers to increase preschoolers’ physical activity

Lack of time, not being in the mood to play together with the child, big distance to the sports club, work-load, cost price, means of transport.

Staff shortage

Safety of the playground.

Time schedule.

Do you have recommendations for a future intervention targeting physical activity in preschoolers?

Involving the parents in child-activities.

Ready-to-use material.

Organization of parent–child activities.

Practical tips and information with new ideas and new activities.

Teachers exchanging useful information to each other.

Parental involvement.