Academic success proven to be one of the big benefits of youth sports
An Australian study finds that kids who participate in sports are more likely to do better on tests, have better school attendance, and be accepted to university.
How to adapt the activities you enjoy as an adult for toddlers
Whether it’s going to restaurants or going hiking, how can you make the activities you love fun for your young children?
Why babies need the freedom to move + floor activities for each stage
It’s important that babies have the opportunity to move freely. Try these fun activities to help your little one start to sit up, crawl, and stand.
30 engaging baby activities for cognitive & physical development
Your baby’s brain is growing and forming new connections every day. Here are some activities you can do to help encourage their development.
Why outdoor play is critical to child development
Learn why outdoor play is critical to child development and an important part of sensory and motor development for young children.
Physical literacy and physical development
Physical development is the combination of growth, maturation, and motor skill development during childhood.
The benefits of going barefoot
Kids naturally seem drawn to bare feet and, as it turns out, there are actually many benefits to spending time barefoot outside.
The CDC’s revised developmental milestones: What parents need to know
Learn about new revisions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s developmental milestones for kids ages zero to five.
7 games to help your child with visual tracking
Visual tracking is the ability to move the eyes around to focus on a moving object. These games will help improve kids’ visual tracking!
Girls in sport: Understanding potential health issues
If your daughter plays sports, it’s important to know about two potential health concerns: the risk of ACL injuries and Female Athlete Triad.
How maturity affects your child’s sport performance
Kids go through the stages of growth and development at different times, which can result in very different sports performance.
What parents need to know about sensitive periods in physical development
When kids go through these sensitive development periods, actively stimulating certain potential capacities produces quick improvement.
5 fun ways to teach your baby about object permanence
Playing games with babies to show them that people and items exist even when they can’t see them helps develop object permanence.
Gross motor skills and your child
Research indicates that gross motor skills are a major predictor of a child’s school readiness. In essence they reflect “brain skills,” yet many parents and caregivers overlook their importance. When infants and toddlers move their arms, legs, and other large body parts with large muscle groups, they are developing their gross motor skills. However, studies … Continued
Active for Life podcast: Dr. John Cairney on the importance of physical literacy
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
A library for active living and learning
Exciting new things are happening in libraries around the world. They’re no longer just spaces where people go to read and study. Now, libraries are hosting everyone from babies to seniors with free and inclusive programming. From story time to chess clubs, music lessons to job searching, dancing to computer lessons, and knitting to teen … Continued
Everything gets Better with ParticipACTION
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
Groundbreaking study shows the effects of screen time on kids’ brains
Early results from groundbreaking research hoping to understand the effects of screen time on kids’ brains are now available. The verdict? Children’s brains are growing older, faster. Basically, MRI scans of kids “who use smartphones, tablets, and video games more than seven hours a day” (Cooper, 2018) show premature thinning of the brain’s cortex, according … Continued
Resource: Recognizing when preschoolers are “ready” to learn
As a parent or child caregiver, you probably know the ages when children are expected to crawl or walk. But do you know when children should be socially ready to share? Emotionally ready to express feelings? Or cognitively ready to follow simple instructions? When children are not developmentally ready, there are many things they won’t … Continued
57 fun physical activities for kids aged 2 to 4
This list offers plenty of fun and simple ideas that will help your young ones get active and develop skills in a variety of ways.
How to find a childcare program that cares about your child’s physical literacy
The early years are crucial for developing physical skills
Thrive by Five: Advocating for our children with government
Get ready to vote for kids
Learning to love ourselves: Vince Luciani on the legacy of coaching
Learn to love your mind, body, and spirit
A generation is missing out on essential motor skills
Hand dexterity is a critical skill best developed while young