Physical activity

Outdoor risky play

Risky play is thrilling and exciting free play that involves uncertain outcomes and the possibility of physical injury. All children benefit from risky play but activities will differ based on children’s developmental stage (rather than age), ability, experience, and personality.

Available resources 

Clinician's guide: Healthy child development through outdoor risky play: A guide for physicians counselling families

Position statement: Healthy childhood development through outdoor risky play: Navigating the balance with injury prevention

Poster: Risky play is worth the reward

Active Kids, Healthy Kids

Active Kids, Healthy Kids is a Canadian Paediatric Society program to help paediatricians, family physicians and other health professionals promote physical activity, nutrition, and other healthy choices.

This section is filled with ideas, resources and evidence to help you incorporate messages about healthy active living into your practice. Use the sidebar at the right to find your way around or start with the age-based pages using the links below.

Physicians play an important role in helping children and youth lead healthy lives. Watch our video to find out why this is so important then use our resources and tools to counsel about healthy active living in your practice.

Why should physicians ask about physical activity?

Every physician has a role to play in helping children and teens maintain healthy, active lives. Have a look at these short videos to find out why.

Do

• Calculate and plot BMI once a year using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts.
  • WHO Growth Charts Training Program: An evidence-based, self-learning package designed for primary care and public health practitioners.
• Display our series of posters promoting physical activity for every age in your health care or community setting:
  • For babies
  • For preschoolers
  • For school-aged children
  • For adolescents

Ask

• How much time does the family spend on sedentary activities and physical activity? Watch our video to find out why asking at every visit matters.
• What are the barriers to doing more physical activity? Watch our video for tips and practical suggestions on how to find solutions to the things that prevent them from being more active.
• Using motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centered, goal-oriented evidence-based counseling method that combines supportive and empathetic counseling to help motivate patients. It can be useful in encouraging lifestyle changes.
  • About motivational interviewing
    • Miller WR, Rose GS. Toward a theory of motivational interviewing. Am Psychol. 2009; 64(6):527-37.

Share

• Canada’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) with families.
  • Early Years 0-4 years: Lists examples of activities that parents can do with their infant, toddler, or preschooler. They are organized by age.
  • Children & Youth 5-17 years: Lists examples of activities that parents can do with their child or teenager. They are organized by age.
• Caring for Kids resources on healthy active living.
• Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, Health Canada.
• Participation: Benefits & Guidelines 0-4
• Participation: Benefits & Guidelines 5-17