Understanding physical activity, sedentary and sleep behaviors (collectively known as 24-hour movement behaviors) in early childhood is essential for supporting healthy growth and development. These movement behaviors interact across the full day to influence health, development, and well-being in preschool children, forming a critical foundation for lifelong health trajectories. The development of integrated 24-hour movement guidelines has underscored the importance of considering these behaviors as a unified construct rather than in isolation.

The International Study of Movement Behaviors in the Early Years (SUNRISE Study) offers a unique opportunity to examine these behaviors at a global scale using harmonized methodologies. By assessing 24-hour movement behaviors using wearable devices, together with potential correlates and health and developmental outcomes among 3- and 4-year-old children across diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts, the SUNRISE Study enables robust cross-country comparisons and supports the identification of global patterns, inequalities, and context-specific determinants of movement behaviors and their implications for child health and development.

Emerging research has strengthened our understanding of how movement behaviors relate not only to physical health but also to motor competence, cognitive development, and emotional well-being. However, substantial gaps remain, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, many of which are undergoing rapid urbanization that may further influence the development of healthy movement behaviors in young children. Addressing these gaps is essential for generating globally representative evidence to inform the development of equitable and contextually relevant public health policies and interventions, support healthier future generations, and contribute to global priorities such as Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

By collating evidence generated across countries with diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts, this Collection aims to offer a more comprehensive and internationally relevant perspective on early childhood movement behaviors and highlight opportunities for future research, surveillance and policy initiatives.

Potential topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

• Patterns, composition and/or clustering of movement behaviors
• Cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic correlates of movement behaviors
• Adherence to global 24-hour movement guidelines
• Associations of movement behaviors and health and developmental outcomes
• Feasibility and implementation of wearable-device measurement of movement behaviors

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, Good Health & Well-Being.

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.