The findings in the 2015 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth don’t surprise Saskatchewan in motion. The Report Card assigned a “D-” grade for overall physical activity for children and youth in Canada. This year’s Report Card takes a stand on Active Outdoor Play. The biggest risk is keeping kids indoors.
“We know that less than 15% of Saskatchewan kids get the more than 60 minutes of daily physical activity they need and activity outdoors is at an all-time low,” says Cathie Kryzanowski, General Manager of Saskatchewan in motion.
Kids are more active when they’re outside and they move more when they have the freedom to roam and take risks. The report card encourages adults today to get out of the way and let kids play. The research shows it’s essential:
• Kids move more and sit less when they play outdoors.
• Kids aged 9 – 17 who play outside afterschool get 20 more minutes of heart pumping activity per day.
• Kids with access to unsupervised outdoor play develop better motor skills, social behaviour, independence and conflict resolution skills.
“We’re pleased to see this focus on the importance of active outdoor play,” says Kryzanowski. “It’s what many parents remember as some of the most fun and exciting parts of their childhoods: the freedom to play outdoors until the sun went down, walk to school with friends, and explore!”
Saskatchewan in motion is a province wide movement of decision makers, influencers, leaders, educators, organizations and families working together toward a common goal: to get more kids, more active, more often. The group continues to develop positive solutions and simple tools to inspire families to get kids moving in our province. “The situation outlined in the Report Card is exactly why Saskatchewan in motion exists,” says Kryzanowski. “We work to help families, communities and schools do their part to get kids moving more. Addressing the issue is a responsibility we all share.” Parents can visit saskatchewaninmotion.ca to learn more and find great tips and tools like re:activity, a multi-media campaign aimed at parents; a virtual Active Idea Jar; and coming later this month the in motion Summer Bucket List, filled with great ideas for active play outdoors. To download the Report Card and Position Statement online, please visit saskatchewaninmotion.ca/reportcard.
