This winter (and eventually, spring), the City of Calgary is continuing its self-directed, drop-in program that uses natural elements such as snow, tree stumps, tree cookies, branches, twigs and rocks to inspire active and creative outdoor play, and connect people, young and old, to nature, with onsite play ambassadors to inspire play. Parents are encouraged...
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...
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...
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 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...
Wild About Vancouver (WAV) is developing a series of outdoor lessons and blogs to help support Canadians in getting active while at home. WAV is normally the home site for the WAV Outdoor Education Festival, a free public outdoor education festival offering practical ways to get children and adults outdoors more regularly. Given these uncertain...
These "how to" guides are intended to help municipalities and organizations improve play in their communities. They are based on the experiences of The City of Calgary who, since 2016, facilitated the creation, signing, and ongoing appraisal of the Calgary Play Charter as well as the development and implementation of a Mobile Adventure Playground....
