The Nova Scotia Before-and-After Program is a partnership between The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) and the Department of Communities, Cultures and Heritage (CCH). The program is supportive of the Nova Scotia’s Let’s Get Moving Action Plan as well as Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework and is guided by the following...
The New Glasgow Public Library provided sidewalk games to encourage the use of the library's outdoor public spaces for play, in a safe manner. These games include hopscotch, balance beam, jumping and more all on their front sidewalk. Additionally, participants could get ballots and enter to win prizes. This program is informed by the Position Statement...
Stellarton Public Library is encouraging people to walk by providing free handmade walking sticks in three sizes. A patron and his 11-year-old nephew hand made walking sticks and donated them to the Stellarton Library to be given out for free. They provided the following as ideas on how to use the walking sticks: use them...
The Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library is renting Play Pack Kits to provide accessible materials to encourage healthy families and facilitate active play. These kits are filled with books and play equipment and are available to borrow for free with a library card from libraries in Antigonish, New Glasgow, Pictou, River John, Stellarton, Trenton and Westville. This program...
Kentville wants to become Canada's most playful community; one that takes play - and all of its benefits - very seriously. Kentville Plays aims to increase play in their community through events, programs and projects. Currently Kentville is providing residents with three community playboxes in Memorial Park, Oakdene Park, and Burgher Hill. These playboxes are filled...
In 2017, Peterborough Public Health undertook an extensive review of evidence related to outdoor playspaces for children in response to an observed increase in playground injury rates in Peterborough compared to the rest of the province. The review focuses on evidence related to the benefits of outdoor play, safety and risk, injury prevention, physical activity,...
A Common Vision for Increasing Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Living in Canada: Let’s Get Moving Report, a national policy document by the Public Health Agency of Canada, provides guidance on ways to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary living. The Common Vision is guided by five interdependent principles: Physical Literacy, Life Course, Population Approach,...
The Benefits of Being in Nature factsheet by the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Nova Scotia Health Authority summarizes evidence on the benefits of being in nature including the benefits of outdoor play for children's healthy movement, which references the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play. Also included in the factsheet is a list of...
KidActive provided secretariat support for a collaborative leadership model to co-ordinate and gather existing and potential resources, social networks, data, opportunities and insights to further the reach and deepen the impact of the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play across Canada. KidActive convened the Canadian Outdoor Play Working Group, which evolved into Outdoor Play Canada....
Nature and Why It’s Essential for Kids’ Brains: Information for Parents and Caregivers info sheet from ementalhealth.ca provides information on what spontaneous outdoor play is, the health benefits of spontaneous outdoor play for children's physical and mental health based on evidence from the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play, and the disadvantages of indoor play...
