


Mental training for athletes: Helping youth in sports excel and find joy
It’s not just pro athletes who benefit from mental training—young athletes can too! Learn what your child has to gain here.

Is your child playing the wrong sport?
Is your child truly enjoying their sport? Learn how to prevent them from playing the wrong one and maximize the benefits of sports for kids.

Was that behaviour in your child’s sport acceptable?
Flag Tool for Sport is a new tool designed by PlaySafe BC to help you determine whether your child has been treated appropriately in sport.

Kin-Ball: The amazingly fun sport you’ve probably never heard of
Kin-Ball is a fast-paced, interactive sport that engages a wide range of skills, while promoting physical activity, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

5 things to do if your child is on a team that loses (all the time)
It’s tough to watch our kids try and fail—again and again. Here are some tips for supporting your child when their team often loses.

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 you need to know about your kids, sports, and mental health
Not only professional athletes face mental health issues. Learn what to be aware of when it comes to your child, sports, and mental health.

Revisiting the discussion: Does your kid suck?
In this Q&A, we take questions from and offer advice to parents who are concerned about their kids struggling in sports.

9 low-cost sports: Keep your kids moving without breaking the bank
Kids’ sports can be expensive, but there are some low-cost options out there! Check out this list of affordable sports your child can try.

5 reasons tweens and teens drop out of sports—and what to do about it
Some kids’ activity levels drop off once they enter the teen years? Here’s why—plus tips for how you can keep your teens involved in sport.

What to do when your child’s just not into sports
Participating in sports is just one way kids can grow up active and healthy. If your child isn’t into sports, try these alternative ideas.

How to be a great sports parent during and after COVID-19
Our young athletes need us more than ever to help create the right circumstances for their development during this challenging time.

Tips for getting active with your non-sporty child
Growing up, my son just wasn’t into in sports. I’ve since learned that sports are just one way to be active—and that physical activity should be enjoyable.

Is competition in sports healthy for kids?
Many parents have asked me if I think competition is healthy for kids. Is it healthy? Is it “toxic”? Does it diminish self-confidence?

Fight for your right to play
Casual sport and neighbourhood play are important. But as our urban centres grow, competition for our public spaces increases as well.

Active for Life podcast: How to support your child athlete
In this episode, Active for Life editor-in-chief Richard Monette talks with John O’Sullivan, founder of Changing the Game Project.

Redefining success: 8 tips for being a great sports parent
Here are some things you can do to increase your child’s chances of finding success and fulfillment in their sport.

Why I decided I’d never yell when my kids play hockey
It’s important to understand how yelling in the stands might affect your child’s focus and his or her overall enjoyment of the game.

Coaching girls? Here are three ways to help them get more out of the game
“Any questions?” This well-meaning phrase, when posed to a group of young female athletes, often results in 10 or more hands shooting up, and you as a coach end up standing there fielding questions like you’ve just entered your own personal press conference. You may be thinking to yourself, “Well that’s just how kids are.” … Continued

Active for Life podcast: Noah Lenstra on active living in libraries
Most people think of libraries as places for quiet contemplation. But it turns out libraries today are not just places where people can go to read and check out books—they’re increasingly becoming community hubs where families can access a wide variety of activities and resources to be physically and mentally active. In this month’s podcast, Active … Continued

Rethinking school sports teams: here’s a way every kid gets to play
There’s an excitement in the air every time we tell students there’s an upcoming sports tournament. The schoolyard is filled with students in grades four to six practicing during recess to get ready for the tryouts. Typically, there are over 60 students trying out for one team. Most elementary school teams have 15 players on … Continued

Free multisport program helps more kids develop physical literacy
A new free multisport program in Nova Scotia is helping more Cape Breton Island children develop physical literacy while learning how to play various sports. Capers in the Community launched this summer and is being offered at no cost in towns throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). The four-day camp gives children ages five to … Continued

This online course is committed to keeping girls in sport
Did you know that by age 14, girls are dropping out of sport at twice the rate of boys? Did you know that when matched for age and maturation, they are three to six times more likely than boys to sustain non-impact ACL injuries? And did you know that the main reason most girls play … Continued

Multi-sport school festivals vs. single-sport tournaments
As educators, it’s important to ensure children are introduced to physical literacy. Providing a variety of movement opportunities in as many different environments as possible inspires children to be active now and hopefully for life. In February, staff at École élémentaire publique Jeanne-Sauvé in Orleans, Ont. along with P.E. teachers from three other schools in … Continued