Author: AFL Team

The Ability Toolkit: A Resource for Parents of Children and Youth with a Disability is an information booklet intended to aid parents in helping children of all abilities to meet the physical activity recommendations of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. The toolkit explains the guidelines, provides advice for modifying physical activities to make them more … Continued

At first, the concept doesn’t seem groundbreaking: Help kids play and enjoy sports. But, as a recent New York Times op-ed points out, Norway’s approach to youth and sport is different because it really puts children, and their priorities, at its centre. In the article, Tom Farrey explores how the country places value on kids’ … Continued

Risky play can be an intimidating concept for parents and caregivers to try to implement with their children. How much risk is too much? How can play remain safe? Dr. Mariana Brussoni recognizes the dilemma. In fact, she’s an expert on the subject. Her research focuses on caregivers’ perceptions of risk and safety when it … Continued

Our “groundhog maze” brings active learning to life I introduced the activity by reading the storybook Ten Grouchy Groundhogs by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook. We talked about the legend of Groundhog Day and looked at pictures of real groundhogs. The children learned about groundhog behaviour, such as living in a burrow and hibernating in … Continued

It’s changed my outlook as well. Children in my program get to run, laugh, and explore while developing their language and social skills. Through these experiences, they also develop their muscular strength and endurance. Outdoor programming in our pre-kindergarten classrooms At Edmonton Catholic Schools, physical literacy and outdoor programming are a priority for our 100 … Continued

Parents can insist sports clubs train and screen all coaches

Editor’s note: This article was updated March 12, 2021. Every year, Canadians celebrate Bike to School Week. You can take part by encouraging your child or student to ride to school during this week and beyond. When done safely, cycling to and from school leads to children who are healthy, happy, and ready to study … Continued

In Winnipeg, early childhood educators and caregivers are learning how to address a whole new dimension of infant and toddler development: physical literacy. Recently, the Access and Engagement & Physical Literacy working committees from the Winnipeg Community Sport Policy saw the need to promote physical literacy as a means to combat health risks for children … Continued

Dr. John Cairney wears many hats. He’s a professor in the kinesiology and physical education faculty at the University of Toronto, as well as director of the Infant and Child Health Lab at both U of T and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. He’s also the chair of Sport for Life’s research group for physical … Continued

Ready, Aim, Kick! to the rescue One particularly difficult day, we tried an activity called Ready, Aim, Kick! (see Activity #6) from the APPLE Seeds program. This robust program introduces physical literacy skills in a sequential way within everyday play. Ready, Aim, Kick! involves playing kicking games using targets and a variety of materials, including pylons, … Continued

As a teacher, do you want to help children develop physical literacy? Would you like an easy shortcut for creating your own lesson plans to do so? Luckily, there’s a range of excellent free resources available at Active for Life. One of the most useful is Active for Life’s (AfL) interactive online Lesson Plan Builder. While AfL’s pre-made … Continued

Here’s one activity my kids loved when I was teaching them letter recognition. And it’s been adapted for toddlers through to preschool. Hop A Letter If the weather is good, bust out the sidewalk chalk. If not, get out the painter’s tape and move the coffee table. Choose six to eight letters and letter combos, … Continued

Quebec made men’s hockey history at the Canada Games in Red Deer, winning gold against Ontario. Quebec’s last gold medal dated back to 1987. In the second week of the Games, the women’s team also made it to the final, winning silver after losing against the home team. Team Quebec’s performances can be attributed to … Continued

It’s challenging for families to find time to be active together, so Active for Life and ParticipACTION are making it easier. Families will find Recipe for an Active Year an excellent source of ideas for family activities throughout the four seasons. Most people think physical activity is just about losing weight and looking good at the … Continued

“In Happy Parents Happy Kids, Ann Douglas has written the quintessential handbook for parenting in the digital age. She’s covered every conceivable angle and topic, and gives practical, compassionate, non-judgmental, and research-based advice. Buy a copy (or two) for every expecting, new, or veteran parent you know.” —Richard Monette and the Active for Life team … Continued

The problem is that making things too safe can starve children of the very experiences that best help them learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. As rising numbers of children and teenagers struggle with emotional and social problems, it is all the more important to get this balance right. In the end, the … Continued

This printable provides your kids with activity ideas for every season. It’s a great way to start the year in an active way!

The early years are crucial for developing physical skills

Welcome to Active for Life, Ann Douglas!

Kids need movement throughout the day

Resources introduce more kids to the physical, emotional, and social benefits of dance

The childcare centre your child(ren) attends has chosen to be part of a study that will explore the benefits for young children of quality physical literacy programming in childcare centres. What are physical activity and physical literacy? Physical activity is movement that increases heart rate, breathing, and causes a light sweat. Physical literacy is the … Continued

These activities for kids with mobility-related physical disabilities will help them develop various movement skills.

The expert on youth sport talks about the important role of parents