Lack of physical activity is a significant risk factor for poor health. Physical inactivity is connected to global mortality rates and overweight. Recently, the screen time on smartphones and tablets has emerged as a considerable concern in the Nordics.

In early childhood, children learn and develop rapidly. Early childhood is a period during which children form their lifestyle habits. A child's day is filled with many different types of activities, and the most important thing is that all these aspects are in balance: eating habits, physical activity, time spent sitting or restrained, screen time, rest, and sleep.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a guide, Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep for children under 5 years of age, that helps parents and early childhood professionals implement children's days correctly by balancing different activities. The guide is for children under 5 years of age. The guide aims to provide guidance on how many hours per day children should spend being physically active or sleeping for their health and well-being, as well as the maximum recommended time they should spend on screen-based sedentary activities or sitting.

Recommendations at a glance by WHO

Early childhood is a time of remarkable growth and the achievement of essential milestones in brain development. During this stage, children are highly influenced by the environment and the people around them. (Unesco 2020)

In early childhood, children are highly influenced by the environment and the people that surround them.

That being said, it is good to assess how the whole learning environment is set up to support children's playful learning, such as:

• The teacher's pedagogical skills and competencies when working with the children
• Curriculum and learning objectives for playful learning
• Action plans, syllabus, weekly, and daily plans
• Lesson plans and activities
• Learning materials such as toys, building blocks, painting and writing materials, etc.
• Observations, documentation, and formative assessment of learning
• The activity areas

These should encourage and support children to play, interact, and practice cognitive processes such as problem-solving and managing their emotions. Play motivates children, brings them joy, and supports their well-being. It allows them to learn new skills while enjoying the learning.

Kindiedays CEO Milla van der Burgh visiting Globetrotter Kids in Bangalore.

Physical activity areas

In the current edition, “10 Most Promising Preschools in Bangalore—2025,” Siliconindia has compiled a list of recognized leaders in the education industry who are redefining early childhood education. Globetrotters Kids, one of Kindiedays first customers in India, is one of the top featured preschools (extract from the original article in Siliconindia, April 2025).

Globetrotters Kids rides the NEP wave

Nurturing Young Minds to Develop a Passion for Learning

Education is not the filling of a pail but rather the lighting of a “fire.” Renowned author W B Yeats’ words have echoed through the decades, inspiring educational institutions worldwide to ignite curiosity among children. With the launch of NEP 2020, a transformational wave is taking over the Indian education system, with the value of holistic learning coming to the forefront. New-age educational institutions are shifting focus from traditional rote learning academically inclined curriculums to holistic frameworks where learning happens beyond books.

Sarittha Arakkal, Co-founder Globetrotters Kids

What has Globetrotters Kids done?

As a preschool owner or manager, your mission is to provide a nurturing and high-quality educational environment that fosters the holistic development of every child while growing admissions and parent satisfaction. How can these goals be combined practically?

The Importance of Parental Involvement

Parental involvement is vital for a successful preschool. In Finland, children learn through play and aren't scored, yet parents are confident in the quality of education. However, daily face-to-face meetings between teachers and parents can be hectic, and using paper notes is unreliable. A better approach is needed.

Cooperating with a child's family is crucial. Parents know their children best and want to engage in their learning, see evidence of progress, and handle daily practicalities smoothly. Teachers and families are in the same boat, working for the child's best interest.

Studies show that active parental involvement leads to better academic performance, improved social skills, and a positive attitude toward learning. For preschool owners and managers, fostering strong parent-teacher relationships increases trust and satisfaction, which is crucial for building a reputable and successful preschool.

How to Engage Parents?

Kindiedays Academy is a professional development online program consisting of 10 workshops, led by Finnish education specialist Stella Giota. 

❓ What themes or topics are covered in the training?
✅ The Academy includes modules on Finnish early education, holistic learning, observation and documentation, activity planning, child development, and parent collaboration—all based on proven early childhood education principles. Each session is interactive, with time for questions, discussion, and practical tasks to implement in the classroom. We also share photos, videos, and examples from real Finnish classrooms to help teachers visualize how to implement what they learn.

❓ My teachers have different levels of experience. Will this work for all of them?
✅ Absolutely. Kindiedays Academy is designed to meet teachers where they are. New teachers gain structure, confidence, and a strong foundation in holistic learning, while experienced teachers discover fresh strategies, new perspectives, and space to reflect on their practices. The live format also encourages peer learning and exchange.

❓ As an academic coordinator, can I track who has completed the training?
✅ Yes. You’ll have access to progress tracking and certificates, you can easily monitor who has completed which sessions, and you will have all the info you need to support your team and follow up when needed.

Here are more interesting questions we get about Kindiedays Academy: