Topics: Lifestyle

A mom shares her experience with postpartum depression and offers tips for other new parents experiencing what she did.

“Back when we were kids…” Do you ever catch yourself telling stories to children about how play used to be? The freedom and friendships of the outdoors, and playing all day until the lights came on, were staples of childhood. It seems like forever since that kind of free play lived in neighbourhoods, and according … Continued

Here’s a list of fun and active ways you and your family can get your silly on this April Fool’s Day.

Hey, Project Active Family participants! It’s been a few weeks since we officially wrapped up Project Active Family, but I’m happy to report that our small-but-mighty community continues to live on in all kinds of unofficial ways. Each time I dive into my social media feed, I see a variety of wonderfully inspiring photos featuring … Continued

In 2015, the Unama’ki Sport Association held its first Unama’ki Riders snowboarding program. The goal was to provide youth ages 12 to 18 with the opportunity to learn how to snowboard. Since then, the program has continued to grow and provides an opportunity for Aboriginal youth to be active throughout the winter months. Winner of … Continued

In partnership with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) Recreation Department, the Shred Sirens is an all-female skateboarding group that runs out of Youth Centre in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. The group grew out of an existing beginner skateboard program run by the CBRM Recreation Department. It takes place year-round: in the summer month, at municipal skateboard parks across the community and in the … Continued

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

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 team … 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

Meet Jenn Carson. She’s a mom, an active community member, an author, a yogi, and the Library Director of LP Fisher Public Library, in Woodstock, New Brunswick. And she’s turning libraries on their head. Or at least the people using her library. Jenn, also known as the “Yoga Librarian,” is on a mission to change … Continued

This list offers plenty of fun and simple ideas that will help your little ones get active and develop movement skills!

Beat those winter blues together as a family

Learn how to WOOP it up: wish, outcome, obstacles, plan

Last year, Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) Recreation launched a year-long, 52 Hike Challenge. The challenge encouraged participants to do one hike, every week, for one whole year. Some who complete the challenge do so in a little as 52 days; that is the beauty of the self-guided challenge. Registered participants would receive a journal to … Continued

Multisport mission We want to help kids reach their potential through sport! CBRM Multisport is a collaborative project between community sport organizations, CBRM Recreation Department, and Cape Breton University (CBU), with the support of numerous community sport stakeholders. The program vision is simple, to provide children the opportunity to grow through sport by developing physical … Continued

Learning how to ice skate is a common rite of passage for most Canadians. Do you remember how it felt when you were first able to skate on your own? The crisp air on your face as you glided along the ice, maybe dreaming of that first goal, first race, or first spin? Perhaps you … Continued

Welcome to Active for Life, Ann Douglas!

Physical literacy opens many doors for students

These spooky, fun games are perfect for your Halloween party this year—whether it’s at home or in your classroom!

DOWNLOAD PLAYBOOK PDF Day 1: Hopscotch Skill: Hop 20 minutes This activity develops dynamic balance, coordination, and rhythm required for activities at older ages such as running, skipping, hopping, and dancing. More» Day 2: Underhand Catch Skill: Catch 15 minutes This activity develops hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, and the ability to track moving objects … Continued

AfL Role Model Amy Walsh shares her message of the importance of movement

Creating space opens us up to more activity