In her recent article for The Guardian, Laura Laker discusses the innovative ways several cities around the world have changed to keep kids healthy, sociable and outdoors. Ms. Laker highlights concerns over city planning that prioritizes cars and the economy over the environment and quality of life, and contrasts those concerns with examples of how child-friendly...
In a recent blog post for Child and Nature Alliance of Canada, Petra Eperjesi, manager of National Programs at Forest School Canada, outdoor teacher and parent, describes her rediscovery of play as the language of children and as a therapeutic outlet, as she participates in her son's make-belief game involving a troll, the powerful FLASH,...
In a recent piece for the New York Times, Lorraine Allen discusses the impact of COVID-19 related confinement on children in Spain and Italy. Her article centres around the findings from a recent study collaboratively produced by researchers from Miguel Hernandez University (Spain) and University of Perugia (Italy; publication under review), which describes increases in irritability,...
In a recent piece published in The Conversation, Dr. Lauren McNamara, Research Scientist with the Diversity Institute at Ryerson University, and Dr. Pasi Sahlberg, Professor of Education Policy at the University of New South Wales discuss the importance of preserving recess when schools reopen after the COVID-19 shut downs. Their piece in The Conversation follows from...
In a piece for the Centre for Active Living, Kassi Boyd, the Community Impact Coordinator at The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement, and a 3rd year PhD student in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation at the University of Alberta, and Dr. Jennifer Leo, Director of The Steadward Centre for Personal &...
On May 22nd, 2020, the Outdoor Council of Canada published a document for those leading outdoor activities entitled 'COVID-19 Principles and Practices for Led Outdoor Activity', to provide guidance on how to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while providing high quality Canadian Led Outdoor Activities. The aim of this document is to share experience, wisdom, leads...
In a piece recently published in The Conversation, Dr. Mark Tremblay, director of the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group within the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, and Dr. John Reilly, Professor of Physical Activity and Public Health Science at the University of Strathclyde, discuss active commuting to school as a priority...
UK author, scholar, advocate, and consultant on childhood, Tim Gill summarizes his thoughts and observations on how COVID-19 affects children, and the role of children in the spread of the disease in a post published today (May 14th, 2020) on his website Rethinking Childhood. Based on the best available evidence, he makes the following observations: Children...
This piece was a collaborative effort by UK professors from Sussex, Cambridge and Reading Universities, intended for general distribution. As experts in children’s mental health and development, we urge that children’s social and emotional wellbeing be prioritised in all decisions relating to the easing of lockdown and re-opening of schools. We recognise the vital importance of...
On May 7th, 2020, Dr. Mariana Brussoni, on behalf of Outdoor Play Canada, presented on Play & Resiliency During COVID-19 as part of the World Urban Parks webinar. Check out her slides here: Play and Resiliency During COVID-19 Slide Deck and the full webinar here: https://vimeo.com/416066640 ...
