Topics: Child development

Some schools and early childhood centres are using movement-based instruction to help kids learn better while promoting their development.

Managing screen time isn’t just something parents need to do for their kids. It’s also something we need to do for ourselves.

These spaces offer valuable opportunities for the development of physical literacy and for experimentation.

For many children in early-years programs, learning happens at play centres—themed play areas with a specific focus. Here’s how to create simple play centres at home.

As we move towards a new year, here are our 10 most popular articles of 2019 (plus five of our personal favourites).

These simple skating games will help kids gain balance and coordination while they have fun on the ice.

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

The Vivo Play Project gives kids the opportunity to let loose, play freely, and get dirty.

StoryWalk combines storytelling and physical activity by placing laminated pages from picture books in public places.

Physical education doesn’t just happen in a gymnasium. I’m a big proponent of active free play outside during physical education (PE) class. In my PE classes, I plan for quite a lot of it when the weather allows. There are so many benefits of free play outside that cannot be replicated in the gymnasium. In most … Continued

Thanks to funding from the federal government, the Early Years Physical Literacy Research Team will move on to phase two.

As parents and coaches, we must make youth sports fun for kids. Tim Hortons’ latest advertisement highlights this.

Here’s how parents can know when to intervene in their children’s risky play, and how to help facilitate acceptable risk.

A growing number of teachers are now starting to look for ways to encourage kids to move more during class time, including taking their classes outdoors.

The model was developed as a framework to help ECEs understand how to incorporate physical literacy into their playrooms and playgrounds.

Caleigh MacPherson, a soccer player for the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers, fell in love with the sport from a very young age. She was just four years old when she first started playing soccer, but she said the fact that she spent time spent playing other sports too is what helped her become the high-performing athlete … Continued

Have you heard of disc golf? If you’re looking for a fun way to stay active and get outdoors this fall, then why not give it a try? Disc golf is an intergenerational sport where participants try to throw special flying discs or Frisbees into an above-ground target. The sport is based on the rules of golf, but instead of … Continued

From early specialization to costly programs to hyper-competition, this documentary tells its story through the voices of people directly involved: parents, coaches, and teachers.

Once primarily the domain of teen boys, skateboarding’s diverse culture and physical benefits are now attracting people of all ages and genders.

The Active for Life fortune teller inspires movement, from balancing on one foot to catching a ball to crab-walking.

“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

My youngest son, Cam, has always been full of surprises. With a flair for the dramatic, Cam decided that he would make his grand entrance into the world more than 12 weeks early. With the ensuing medical issues, including collapsed lungs, chronic lung disease, infections, viruses, heart concerns, and prolonged gastrointestinal and feeding issues, his … Continued

When our son was five years old, he showed no interest in team sports. He would participate halfheartedly and then after the season we’d prompt him to sign up again. He’d politely say, “No, thank you.” After a frustrating T-ball season where we spent more time arguing with our son about going to T-ball than … Continued

Risky play is necessary for healthy child development. Here’s some advice for how how parents can assess risk in their children’s play.