News
Through knowledge mobilization, we want to connect and align efforts by sharing resources, tools, training, research and stories. Browse through the latest news items related to outdoor play.
Study finds children spend twice as long looking at screens than they do playing outside
Posted by Megan Forse on November 14, 2018
A study conducted by Persil on 1,000 British and Irish parents of children aged up to seven has found children spend twice as long looking at screens than they do playing outside. But, interestingly, 62 percent of parents wish their children would spend more time playing outside instead of in front of a screen. It was found that three quarters of parents have used a screen to entertain their children in order to complete tasks, despite 6...
Muddy Hands Report; everything you need to know to take learning outside!
Posted by Megan Forse on November 6, 2018
In case you were not yet convinced of the benefits of getting children outdoors….here is some more evidence! The Muddy Hands Report presents data from the Outdoor Classroom Day 2017 as well as a wide range of literature to highlight the benefits, barriers and solutions to getting children outdoors, for learning and play. The Muddy Play Report focuses on 3 important segments; The findings from the Outdoor Classroom Day 2017 survey; Exploring why outdoor learning and play should be...
Unleashing the Power of Play: Research from the International Play Association 20th Triennial Conference
Posted by Joel Barnes on November 1, 2018
From November 1-15, EVERYONE can download a copy of the Special Issue of Children, Youth and Environments at www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.28.issue-2 Please share this important journal with everyone. ...
POP UP Adventure Playgrounds by Earth Day Canada
Posted by Megan Forse on October 30, 2018
Some of our fondest memories are from spending time playing outside yet children nowadays are being limited in their ability to roam and play out of doors. Earth Day Canada believes outdoor play is the foundation of environmental education and action and should be a natural part of the day to day lives of children. By addressing play provisions in schools, parks, streets and community green spaces, Earth Day Canada is working hard to put...
TAKE ME OUTSIDE DAY – October 24th, 2018
Posted by Stephanie Carson on October 24, 2018
Happy Take Me Outside Day! This day is a reminder to get outside. Unplug. Be active. Connect with nature. Play in the fresh air. Believe it or not, Canadian youth are spending nearly 8 hours a day in front of screens and as a result outdoor time is dwindling. This lack of outdoor time is impacting our health and our overall well-being. In 2011, Founder and Executive Director of Take Me Outside, Colin Harris, embarked on a cross...
Healthy Parks, Healthy People Forum set for May 2019 in Ottawa
Posted by Megan Forse on October 22, 2018
With a growing body of evidence supporting the link between a healthy environment and healthy society, the Healthy Parks, Healthy people movement which originally launched in Australia, has expanded to receive global attention. In May (1-2) 2019, Ottawa will be hosting the two day Healthy Parks, Healthy People Forum to bring together parks and recreation professionals, health professionals, researchers, policy-makers, academics, students, trainees, and community members to share the latest research, best practices, and progressive policies...
Research shows interacting with nature is beneficial for the mental health of children and teenagers
Posted by Megan Forse on October 17, 2018
Children’s mental health, involving their emotional, psychological, and social well-being, is an important factor influencing children’s development of a sense of identity, positive self-esteem, healthy peer and family relationships, and stress coping mechanisms. Mental health issues therefore have the potential to prevent children from reaching developmental and social milestones, and persist into adulthood. Mental health issues are associated with burdens on the individual, family, and healthcare system which has led to research focusing on identifying and targeting...
Recent policy shift allows kids under five to attend school, but not to use playground equipment
Posted by Megan Forse on October 10, 2018
As part of a new provincial policy shift in Nova Scotia, kids having their fourth birthday on or before December 31 were able to start school in a pre-primary program. However, playground equipment installed in numerous schoolyards is recommended for use by kids ages five to twelve and is not recommended for use by kids under the age of five by the School Insurance Program. As a result, kids starting the pre-primary program will not...