PA SCAN
What is PA SCAN?
PA SCAN is an international network of practice-oriented researchers from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway, led by Fontys University of Applied Sciences. This international network is composed of a multidisciplinary team that includes leading experts in pedagogical practices in early childhood education and care (ECEC), health promotion, physical activity stimulation, and motor development in young children.
The aim of PA SCAN
The primary aim of the PA SCAN project is to develop a tool that can be applied across multiple European countries. The PA SCAN tool focuses on early childhood education and care (ECEC). Despite a strong willingness among ECEC centers to integrate more physical activity into their curricula and programs, many centers still find this integration complex and challenging.
The development of PA SCAN is grounded in international, evidence-based insights into how physical activity can be effectively embedded in ECEC contexts. The tool is designed to be user-friendly and facilitates constructive, reflective dialogue, both among pedagogical professionals and between pedagogical professionals and management/leadership within each ECEC center. The outcomes generated through PA SCAN reveal similarities and differences between the operational level (pedagogical professionals) and the tactical level (management/leadership) regarding the sustainable integration of physical activity promotion for young children. Based on these findings, each ECEC center receives a set of guiding, in-depth reflection questions and a developmental roadmap to support their next steps toward embedding physical activity as a structural component of their organizational practices.
The strength of international diversity
PA SCAN was developed by an international team of experts from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway. This international collaboration fosters valuable cross-country learning and exchange. While each country brings its unique strengths and contextual challenges, the opportunity to learn from one another enriches shared knowledge and perspectives.
PA SCAN has been adapted to suit the specific needs and contexts of the Netherlands, Flanders (Belgium), and Norway, with national versions available in Dutch, Flemish, and Norwegian. Each national version includes reflection questions that are context-sensitive and tailored to the country-specific setting. Additionally, a general English-language version of the PA SCAN tool is available for other European countries. This version includes more generic guiding questions derived from the collective insights of the participating nations.
The Consortium
The international PA SCAN consortium is coordinated by Fontys University of Applied Sciences, research group Move to Be. Dutch partners include the Mulier Institute, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and Maastricht University. Collectively, these partners contribute extensive experience in practice-based research related to the integration of physical activity in both ECEC and primary school settings. Examples of large-scale intervention studies conducted by these partners include Actief Fundament, ASAS, and Act2Act.
Belgian expertise is provided by Ghent University, whose research team also has substantial experience in practice-based ECEC research. A recent example from Belgium is the 1-2-3 Move Study. The Norwegian partner is the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, known for its strong expertise in promoting active development among young children, particularly in natural, physically challenging environments. Relevant recent research projects include the MoveEarly study and the ActNow study.
Funding
PA SCAN has been made possible through funding by Regieorgaan SIA.
