Play and Move (Leiki ja liiku) activities begin in Matinkylä in the autumn
Play and Move activities for early childhood education and care groups are organised in all major districts of Espoo. The aim is to involve more than 100 ECEC units and approximately 3,500 children in the activities in the autumn.
Play and Move activities have expanded rapidly to new areas in Espoo. The activities are aimed at early childhood education and care groups of 5–6-year-olds, with a total of over 2,600 participants during spring 2025.
“As the program expands, more and more children in the early childhood education and care group will have equal opportunities to practise important motor skills. Play and Move provides early childhood educators with new tools for encouraging and guiding physical activities as part of other everyday early childhood education and care activities,” says Maija Pelttari, Physical Activity Coordinator.
The programme began in autumn 2023 at the Kameleonten multisport hall in Leppävaara, and in autumn 2024 it was expanded to Tapiola Esport Center and Targa Arena in Espoon keskus.
In January 2025, the activities began in Hybridiarena Hype in Espoonlahti. The activities will begin in Ilmatar Areena, Matinkylä-Olara, in autumn of 2025.
Play and Move demonstrates the power of cooperation between Espoo's sports and exercise unit, early childhood education and care units and the sports clubs of Espoo
Play and Move is a cooperation model implemented by the City of Espoo’s Sports and Exercise Unit, early childhood education and care in Finnish and Swedish, and local sports clubs. It involved early childhood education and care or pre-primary education groups visiting sports halls for diverse, changing sports courses.
The activities are planned and directed by sports clubs. Currently involved are seven sports clubs: Espoon Telinetaiturit, Espoon Voimistelu- ja Liikuntayhdistys ESVOLI, Funky Cheer Team Espoo, Grani Tennis, Olarin Voimistelijat, Tapiolan Voimistelijat and Voimisteluseura Bounce.
The activities aim is to promote children’s well-being, physical activity and a physically active lifestyle as well as to develop motor skills through joy. Play and Move activities leverage physical activities and motor skills to comprehensively advance children’s prerequisites for learning and their linguistic and mathematical skills.
Continuous improvement based on feedback
The first two years of operation have been enlightening. Play and Move have been continuously developed to better fit their purpose and to meet the needs of early childhood education and care as well as the conditions of each site.
For example, completely new sites are being planned for the beginning of the year to ensure rich activities and learning opportunities for all children, including past participants. All parties involved are excited and committed to implementing and developing the activities.