Topics: Child development

Playgrounds and unstructured free play have always been my go-to options for my two boys’ exercise and entertainment. But as they’ve grown in height, they’ve also been growing apart in terms of their interests, as well as their physical and social skills. Despite their five-year age difference, when they were younger both would happily play … Continued

She really liked that Jermaine took time to coach the kids about how to play and taught them some basics like dribbling, moving their feet, and shooting. She thought it would be great if it was actually a Raptors player teaching the kids to play, and is hoping that she might get coached by a … Continued

Teaching a child to ride a bike must be one of the toughest activities. It certainly has been in our house. “Parent fail” reverberates in my head when my daughter tearfully says she doesn’t want to ride her bike. We started with a pedal-less strider bike, which was great for her to learn to balance … Continued

Your child gets ready to jump from the monkey bars and you get ready for a trip to the hospital. Is this a reasonable reaction? Unless there’s a pit of poisonous serpents or a bed of nails below, probably not. As Dr. Mariana Brussoni of the University of British Columbia points out, statistics show that … Continued

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

This past spring, revelations around the college admissions scandal in the U.S. drew attention to the efforts parents will make to ensure their children do not “fail.” While the elaborate system of bribery and corruption mostly concerned families of above-average means, it still led to broader discussion in the media around parents over-protecting and over-managing … Continued

Keep your kids moving and learning with games like these, and they’ll return to the classroom in the fall with happy memories and sharp minds.

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

Basketball united us for several weeks in May and June, leaving an indelible impact on people across the country. “We The North” was a rallying cry for every Canadian to celebrate an amazing sports story, an incredible story of teamwork, and an opportunity to showcase the diversity, not just of the Raptors, but of Canada. … Continued

Earlier this year, my wife and I wanted to plan an outdoor birthday party for our four-year-old. We decided to organize it at our local beach, Petrie Island, in Ottawa. We contacted Friends of Petrie Island, an organization responsible for educating the public about the importance of nature, preservation, and ecology. It also helps organize … 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

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

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

“It’s never too early to build confidence and motivation that lasts a lifetime.” -Rising New York Road Runners   Runners know the secret to why running is good for our minds and bodies. There is plenty of research and science to back it up. Running makes us happy, it can help us lose or maintain weight, … Continued

Indigenous nations and groups have diverse histories, traditions, and cultures—as well as games. This is one way non-Indigenous children can learn more about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

Physical education (PE) and gym class are often used as synonyms. It’s an easy mistake to make because, stereotypically, many PE classes are all about playing sports in the gym. But the truth is the gymnasium is only one of the many locations used to teach physical education. Doing PE differently Sports are great and … Continued

Becoming a father is a life-changing event. Our children look up to us and part of our responsibility is to keep them safe and healthy. Almost four years ago, my wife gave me the best gift possible: a baby girl. Since then, it’s become my mission to raise a gutsy and brave girl. As a … Continued

But role models are not enough to change the lives of Canadian girls

If your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or struggles with focus, you’ll be happy to hear that a simple walk in your local park might be beneficial. CBC News recently reported that a review of hundreds of studies found time spent outdoors can result in improved attention span, self-discipline, and stress reduction. “Researchers also … 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

Middle school is a tough time to find activities to participate in. It can be nearly impossible in rural communities. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality Recreation Department along with the Department of Communities Culture and Heritage decided to mend this gap for young girls ages 12-16 with the program “After The Bell” (ATB). ATB is a … Continued

Children today don’t get enough active play time. And that’s a health issue because it’s during active free play that children fill up on their daily requirement of daily physical activity. The problem is not that children have stopped playing, but that the nature of the games they play has changed. In this digital era … Continued

On a summer afternoon, you might find four-year-olds digging in the mud with sticks while six-year-olds toss stones into a creek and eight-year-olds climb trees or build a fort. Welcome to the Into the Wild nature camp at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alta., where unstructured, child-led, risky play is the name of the … Continued