Between 2016 and 2018, EcoKids worked with 6 school communities in the Toronto District School Board to implement the OPAL pilot program. The Transform Lab, led by Dr. Raktim Mitra, Associate Professor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Ryerson University, evaluated that pilot project. The researchers found that the OPAL program led...
On July 13, 2020, the Lawson Foundation released a statement on the importance of outdoor play as a public health strategy to support the reopening of early learning and child care (ELCC) centres, and for children's development and learning. The statement was prepared with input from public health and ELCC sector advisors, and includes guiding principles...
Andrew Fleck Child Services, in partnership with Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group and Child and Nature Alliance of Canada, is constructing a multi-purpose iconic building on National Capital Commission (NCC) property, with the goal of promoting children’s play and learning outdoors on a regular and repeated basis. This building will house three primary functions: ...
Outdoor Play Canada is proud to present the Outdoor Adventure Calendar. Every day features a new active outdoor adventure for families. Activities include outdoor and indoor ideas, small group and individual activities, ideas requiring minimal equipment, and parent-free options to give dad and mom a break. Get ideas for your next outdoor adventure here....
During the COVID-19 closure of the Andrew Fleck Ottawa Forest and Nature School, the education team launched a blog to continue nurturing the connection between children, their families, the land, and each other. With school and some programs back up and running, the blog has morphed into a place to share specific supports to Take the...
On June 17th, 2020, ParticipACTION launched the 14th edition of the Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. This report is the most comprehensive assessment of child and youth physical activity in Canada across 14 indicators, based on data from multiple sources including the best available peer-reviewed research. Canadian children and youth received a...
Active for Life has put together a brief summary, definition, and collection of images highlighting the importance of physical literacy in the early years. These images are available for sharing on social media, websites, and blogs. Active for Life's intention is to promote an appreciation of the importance of physical literacy for children's long-term physical,...
Play England put together a framework that provides guidance on how to support children's play in the 'new normal' and how to address issues surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on play. The document is geared towards everyone who works with children at play including teachers, social workers, medical practitioners, parks officers, youth workers, early years...
On June 13, 2020, the Education Hub, based out of New Zealand, hosted an early childhood education (ECE) webinar entitled 'The importance of outdoor play and how to design outdoor spaces in ECE' featuring OPC Leadership Group Member Dr. Mariana Brussoni. This webinar covered the latest research on outdoor play, risky play, and play in...
Adapted with permission from Ottawa Public Health. Ottawa Public Health has put together a guideline on how to get active and get outside safely during COVID-19. They provide guidance on precautions to take when using sidewalks, streets, multiuse paths and dog parks. The guideline also includes a useful chart to help identify who can be safely active...
