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In support of the Lawson Foundation's Policy Brief: Regulating Outdoor and Land-Based Learning as Early Learning and Child Care   The Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play (CCOP) and the National Panel on Regulating Outdoor and Land-Based Early Childhood Education (‘the National Panel’), a collective within the CCOP, are pleased to endorse the Lawson Foundation’s October 2025 Policy Brief,...

23 February, 2026

This article written by Marnie Power and Linsey Sherman-Zekulin was originally published in The Philanthropist   A partnership between a family foundation and a grassroots charity demonstrates what happens when two organizations trust each other enough to shift power, follow community wisdom, and explore an idea without prescribing what it must become. Three years ago, Playful Mindset and...

20 February, 2026

The importance of outdoor play and learning in the lives of children and communities has never been greater. Growing evidence reveals the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of outdoor activity for children. Despite these benefits, trends toward indoor lifestyles, urbanization, digital entertainment and schooling, and safety concerns have led to a notable decline in...

29 January, 2026

This article was originally published by Let Grow. Canadian schools begin implementing Let Grow’s independence-building programs, supported by new leadership and philanthropic backing nationwide. CANADA, January 22, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Let Grow, the nonprofit championing childhood independence, has moved its Canadian expansion plans into action. Canadian schools are now implementing programs such as the Let Grow Play Club...

28 January, 2026

Thank you to  Dr. Richard Larouche, Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Lethbridge, for providing this post. Which factors predict outdoor play in Canadian 7- to 12-year-olds?   Previous studies and literature reviews have consistently found that children who spend more time outdoors are more physically active and generally have better physical, social, mental, and...

23 January, 2026

We are now accepting nominations for the Outdoor Play Canada Board of Directors and Subcommittees! Please see details below: We are looking for individuals to join our Board of Directors who are: OPC members (this is a requirement; if you're not a member, please join to be eligible for consideration (it's free!): https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/join-us/ Involved in outdoor play initiatives in...

08 January, 2026

Thank you to Marnie Power for providing this post. This article was originally published in Playful Mindset. If you read early learning curriculum documents across Canada today, you might assume that play has always been central to how we understand children's learning. Many educators certainly knew this long before curriculum frameworks formally acknowledged it. But the policy...

18 December, 2025

Thank you to Dr. Louise de Lannoy, Executive Director, Outdoor Play Canada, and Kim Hiscott, Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Fleck Children's Services, for providing this post. Why play outside when its cold? What are the benefits? The health benefits of outdoor play are clear and wide-reaching… but what about in winter time? Is it safe to play...

10 December, 2025

Regulating Outdoor and Land-Based Early Learning Programs by Christine Alden, PhD (Program Director, Lawson Foundation) This story was initially published in the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development’s weekly e-newsletter, originally published on October 16, 2025. Children playing outdoors—in nature, on the land—is a beautiful experience that holds many benefits for healthy child development and equity, stewardship...

13 November, 2025
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