Very often fall means going back to structured indoor activities and courses. Yet unsupervised outdoor play is essential for a healthy development. There is compelling scientific evidence to that matter that cannot be ignored. However the environment provided by childcare centers, schools and municipalities imposes limits on the wealth of sensory and motor experiences the children could live.

CURRENT SITUATION
The latest (2015) ParticipACTION report card on physical activity for Canadian children and youth reveals that only 14% of children at age 5-11, are meeting the guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity daily activity (children experiment short breath, perspiration and red cheeks). When children are outside they move more, adding to those precious minutes. Although the responsibility for outside activities falls for a good part on daycares and the school system, it is of utmost importance for children to engage more fully and more often with a variety of outdoor environments.
We now know that research shows that children are more active and take more steps when they are outdoors in comparison to indoors. In addition, the environment quality (small wooded area, stream, forest, school yard and municipal playground with natural materials such as trunks, rocks, grass, tall grass, etc.) has an impact on the level of physical activity. It is more beneficial than a traditional asphalt school yard with play structures, swings and sand box. School principals, early childhood care directors and municipalities should be provided with better support and guidance when planning outdoor playgrounds. Actually all school yards, daycare playgrounds and municipal parks look alike, much to the outdoor equipment suppliers delight.

POSITION STATEMENT ON ACTIVE OUTDOOR PLAY
We often think of risks, danger and injuries when outdoor play is involved. Along its report on young Canadians physical activity (2015) ParticipAction also contributed in cooperation with many experts and organizations in developing a statement position by examining scientific evidence on the net effect (i.e. balance of benefits vs. harms) of outdoor and risky active play. This statement applies to children aged 3-12 years. It aims to raise awareness among parents, all those working with children and the different organizations, to recognize the difference between danger and risk in order to encourage active outdoor play and to value all benefits associated to children’s global development. This statement aims to counteract the social phenomenon of overprotection as well as children’s sedentary behavior.
Active outdoor play involves risks. The following actions do not mean courting danger :
 climbing trees;
 exploring the forest;
 roughhousing;
 climbing the snow hill and sliding;
 tumbling in autumn leaves;
 walking on ice;
 running in the rain;,
 striking branches on rocks;
 running between trees;
 jumping off a huge rock;
 etc.
It means the types of play children see as thrilling and exciting, where the possibility of physical injury may exist, but where they can recognize and evaluate challenges according to their own ability. It is wrong to think that 5 years old do not recognize danger. Trust most of them and they will be able to self-evaluate in riskier games.
Allowing some risk is actually good for children :
 Builds confidence and autonomy;
 Contributes to sociability;
 Improves motor skills;
 Contributes to physical and motor development (strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, coordination, bone density, blood pressure, oxygenation, etc.);
 Improves concentration and focus;
 Helps to demonstrate resilience, develops skills, solve problems ;
 Children show interest for natural spaces over pre-fabricated playgrounds.

CONCLUSION
Offering active outdoor play involving risk requires some guts to step outside of the box. Too many safety rules were created following a situation that went wrong. I am not saying that all safety rules are useless, but many are overprotective, or even paranoid. This situation is intolerable and has toxic effects on our children.
As a consultant I created and experimented dozens of outdoor games involving risk for children aged 2-8 years. You know what? Children had lots of fun and none of them were injured. Admittedly a few scares, but let me remind you that motor learning sometimes involves little cuts and scrapes, or some bumps and bruises. Let the children be children again. They will learn a lot outdoors on top of being healthier. Will you dare? I wish you great outdoor activities!

 

Joël Beaulieu, Ph. D. (c), Motor consultant, A+ Action-www.aplusaction.com