Topics: Child development

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

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

  “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 … 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

Run, jump, swing, glide. When it comes to physical literacy, these essential skills open up a lifetime of fun and activities. And to make the most of an active lifestyle, it’s important to become proficient in these movement skills in every season, in all sorts of weather and environments. No matter what time of year … Continued

Fundamental movement skills and play are crucial to survival

Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Resort (Just one of many ski resorts offering the Snow Pass Program) Hidden Valley Ski Resort is located in the beautiful Muskoka region. The ski resort has 15 groomed trails, three quad chairlifts, snowboarding and a terrain park. It is around 2.5 hours north of Toronto which makes it a perfect little … Continued

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

If you have a little one under 5 years old at home, then you’ve experienced what it’s like to try to keep up with an energetic toddler or preschooler. But did you know that kids this age need three hours of physical activity a day? Children between 2-4 years old don’t only need a lot … Continued

The early years are crucial for developing physical skills