Thank you to Cécile Tang, Project Coordinator with the SPROUT-able project at Outdoor Play Canada, for providing this post. 

The SPROUT-able project is excited to share a series of free, bilingual videos and tip sheets designed to help early childhood educators (ECEs) and families support children with disabilities in outdoor play. Covering topics from risky play to sensory needs and family communication, these practical one-page and interactive resources are grounded in research and ready to use in everyday practice. Available in both English and French, they reflect our commitment to making inclusive outdoor play accessible to all communities across Canada. 

Outdoor play matters for every child. Research consistently shows that time spent outside supports physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, and children with disabilities are no exception. Yet educators and families often face real questions and uncertainties about how to make outdoor environments safe, welcoming, and genuinely inclusive. 

That’s exactly what the SPROUT-able videos and tip sheets are designed to address! 

Developed as part of the SPROUT-able project – a research-practice-policy initiative led by Outdoor Play Canada in collaboration with the University of Ottawa, Algonquin College, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services and the ADAPT Lab at the University of Toronto – these resources respond directly to some of the most common concerns raised by ECE professionals and caregivers. Each video is paired with a tip sheet that is concise and provides practical tips. The videos also each provide two scenarios; one where outdoor play does not happen because of a common barrier, and another where the barrier is addressed so the child can engage fully in outdoor play. 

All resources are available in English and French on the SPROUT-able Modules and Resources page. The current series includes: 

• Communicating with Families – Health Concerns and Physical Safety: These two videos and tip sheets offer concrete strategies for building collaborative, trust-based conversations between educators and families when health or safety concerns arise around outdoor play. Because when families and educators work as a team, all children can thrive outdoors through every season. 

• Sensory Needs – Dressing for Outdoor Play: Getting dressed for outdoor play can be a significant challenge for children with sensory sensitivities. This video and tip sheet offers practical guidance on supporting children in ways that respect their sensory needs while keeping them comfortable and ready to explore. 

• Risky Play: All children benefit from opportunities to take on age-appropriate risk and challenge. This resource helps educators feel confident in supporting risky play for children with disabilities, with practical considerations for adapting the environment and building a culture of informed risk-taking. 

Feel free to explore the SPROUT-able Modules and Resources page! 

 Inclusive outdoor play isn’t a special add-on but a right. These videos and tip sheets are one step toward equipping the ECE community with the knowledge and confidence to make outdoor spaces truly welcoming for children with disabilities. We hope you’ll explore the resources, share them with your colleagues and families, and let us know what resonates and what you would like to explore further. 

The work of building inclusive outdoor environments is ongoing, and we’re grateful to be doing it alongside such a dedicated community. If you have any ideas on resources that could be helpful to advance inclusive outdoor play, please feel free to reach out to our team!