This infographic, produced by Muddy Smiles, describes the benefits of hiking for kids' healthy development and well-being, such as encouraging free play, inspiring use of imagination, improving judgement when risk-taking, and bolstering the ability to cope with adversity. Check out this and many more resources from Muddy Smiles, an organization that promotes the vital importance of...
Play Scotland has put together the 'Toolkit for delivering Loose Parts Play in COVID-19' to support organizations in planning and delivering Loose Parts Play during COVID-19. The toolkit includes a description of what Loose Parts Play is, a summary of the importance of Loose Parts Play, considerations for planning and risks associated with engaging in Loose...
Are you interested in connecting children with nature through outdoor learning and play? Thrive Outside is the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada's newest (and free!) outdoor learning and play resource portal, available now! Designed by educators, for educators, Thrive Outside helps to re-imagine what back to school can look like beyond the classroom. There are...
The Great Trail of Canada has released their 2019-2020 Annual Report, highlighting the many projects and successes across the country including increased accessibility, expansion of greenways, and support for Indigenous-led projects. Read the full report here....
The Raising Canada Reports are published annually and provide an in-depth review of the top 10 threats to childhood. In 2020, the report focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these threats. In subsequent reports, the lasting impacts of COVID-19 on children's physical activity and play have continued to be a central theme...
The Advancing Early Childhood Education Outdoors Now Roundtable, led by Dr Mariana Brussoni, Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, explores the health and educational benefits of being outside, successful international models of early childhood education outdoors, and paths for advancing licensing outdoor early childhood education in British Columbia. This 3-part roundtable series explored the...
The 2020 Designing Streets for Kids Guide is a supplement to The Global Street Design Guide, collaboratively produced by the National Association of City Transportation Officials and Global Designing Cities Initiative. This new Guide is a comprehensive, inspirational, yet practical guide that challenges us all to imagine a better way forward for our urban streets. Among...
Can I go outside? Is it even safe for me to go outside? Many people may assume they should stay indoors, when in fact, they should stay apart. This can be readily, and responsibly done in the outdoors, while benefiting from its many health promoting features....
The Child and Nature Network (C&NN) Nature Play Infographic highlights the many benefits of spending time in nature and provides suggestions on how to promote environmental stewardship. The link to the original infographic can be found here. Additional C&NN research on the benefits of nature can be found here....
Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada has released a National Position Statement on Recess that calls for educators, administrators, and district officials to consider a new approach to recess in schools across Canada, and provides supporting information to do so. In the Statement, the authors outline the importance of recess for children's social well-being, immediate and...
