KOMPAN

KOMPAN in unique preschool research
KOMPAN’s kindergarten the Four Seasons, situated at KOMPANS’s headquarters in Denmark, has been included in a unique research project coordinated by scientists from the University of Southern Denmark, SDU.
 
The scope of the research is to study the importance of frequent, daily participation in physical activity and its effects on the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of the kindergarten children.
 
In the research project a thorough study is carried out of children’s physical level of activity in respectively sports and traditional kindergartens. The Four Seasons will be part of the study together with 6 other Danish kindergartens divided equally between sports and traditional kindergartens - amounting to a total of 339 children from the age of 3 to 5 years.
 
The project is carried out by researchers from the Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics. Professor and research coordinator Karsten Froberg describes the various research stages: “We will begin by measuring age, height and weight of all children in December 2006. In January 2007 we will measure the children’s social qualifications and their linguistic development. We hope to find a connection between their physical activity and general development”.
 
International Manager at Kompan Play Institute Jeanette Fich Jespersen states: “At KOMPAN we are very happy to be included in this research project. We believe it is healthy to play outdoors and that all children should have the opportunity to do so. This is the basis of the Four Seasons Kindergarten. We look forward to the project results and hope to find that free play in a well planned play area promotes health.”
 
KOMPAN Play Institute
December 2006