Active for Life is one year old!
We're celebrating by getting active and with a new contestNews
Fun videos develop baby’s physical literacy
Interactive motions to stimulate the brain, improve coordination, and promote physical activity Read More»
Screen time solutions for every age
Help your child be digitally responsible from infancy through to their teens Read More»
7 ways dads influence their active kids
Dad’s involvement often determines whether a child is active or not, and to what degree Read More»
8 little-known games you can play with your kids
Creative ideas that will keep you and your kids active and having fun Read More»
Richard Monette tells radio listeners the importance of physical literacy
Active for Life's editor-in-chief tells us why kids should learn fundamental movement skills Read More»
New club for Canadian kids gets them active and healthy
60 Minute Kids’ Club offers resources and allows children to track their activities Read More»
Canadian star diver Alexandre Despatie retires
His 22-year career included three world championships Read More»
Do your kids a favour: Give them opportunities to fail
By learning to persevere now, kids will find success later Read More»
Explore the outdoors with your baby
Safe exploration builds physical literacy, confidence and curiosity Read More»
TSN’s Bob McKenzie on the decision to ban body checking from peewee
The hockey analyst has some smart things to say about the decision to delay checking in minor hockey Read More»
3 ways we hinder our kids’ physical literacy
Risk more, rescue less, and rave about the things your child can control Read More»
Infants are calmer with regular time outdoors
When all else fails, trust fresh air to relax your child Read More»
Why our kids should develop grit
Learning how to overcome failure is good for physical activity and good for life Read More»
Specializing in sport can be harmful to young athletes
Sampling a variety of sports early leads to the development of physical literacy Read More»
New mom’s club: An introduction to physical literacy
The motor coordination skills that your child learns now will help her throughout her life Read More»
10 fun ways to spend an active day with Dad
Imagination, creativity and a sense of adventure are all you need Read More»
Kids get physically active with unique programs from Canucks Autism Network
Quality volunteers means kids can progress at their own pace Read More»
Sport Canada announces funding for Active for Life
The Canadian federal government encourages active and healthy citizens Read More»
Newly released PLAY tools to assess physical literacy in children are a Canadian first
Separate paper-and-pencil tests are available for parents, coaches, educators, and athletes Read More»
Michelle Obama, first lady and mom, aims to get U.S. kids active
Leading by example with the Let's Move! initiative Read More»
Summer camps for physical fun
Plenty of sport, multi-sport, and general activitie programs to keep kids energized and happy this summer Read More»
Conference aims to improve health and wellness of children
It's an international gathering of physical literacy experts Read More»
Physical education teachers go missing
Rising inactivity and increasing obesity levels make school PE programs more important than ever Read More»
These Calgary kids don’t let winter stop them from biking to school
Riding in the snow helps them gain independence, confidence, and even status Read More»
Why your kids should walk to school
Exercise, autonomy and ecological responsibility are just three of the reasons Read More»
Steve Nash video promotes Active for Life
The Canadian basketball star on raising kids to be physically literate Read More»
What’s going on with soccer in Ontario?
Shedding a little common sense on the LTPD standings controversy Read More»
7 tips for teaching your kids the definition of success
How to help them build character, resourcefulness, and a positive sense of well-being Read More»
Brent Sutter: True athletes make the best hockey players
Hockey legend says year-round hockey stunts kids’ development Read More»
Study shows exercise before school improves attentiveness in class
Walking or biking to school can help kids concentrate better Read More»
Most children and young athletes play sports to have fun
Survey finds "winning" near bottom of youth athletes’ list of reasons to play Read More»
8 inspirational Canadians to celebrate on International Women’s Day
We've featured some amazing females in the past few months Read More»
Your attitude can help or hinder your kids’ enjoyment of sport and activity
Why it's crucial that parents engage in positive reinforcement Read More»
Today’s Parent and the Healthy Family Challenge
The challenge is designed to get families active and healthy together Read More»
Spring break activities for kids
A list of sports and activity camps across Canada to keep your kids healthy and engaged Read More»
Sports Illustrated Kids 2012 SportsKids of the Year: Conner and Cayden
With a little love and encouragement, even those with disabilities can enjoy an active lifestyle Read More»
23 1/2 hours video: what makes the biggest difference to your health?
Just 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity per day offers innumerable health benefits Read More»
Baseball: Rally Cap means fun and skills
By adjusting the game format, preadolescent kids have a chance to gradually develop their skills Read More»
Turn your Family Day into a family activity day
These Canadian statutory holidays are the perfect opportunity to get active outside with your kids Read More»
Celebrate Winter Walk Day!
Easy to achieve exercise while enjoying the great Canadian outdoors Read More»
12 tips for managing your kids’ handheld screen time
From planning a media strategy to limiting screen time for both you and your kids Read More»
Kids’ soccer: Allow mistakes and forget about winning
When children first begin playing sports, learning from mistakes is more crucial than learning to win Read More»
Active children dramatically more coordinated than sedentary children
Childhood is crucial to the development of motor coordination skills, which is essential to health Read More»
7 steps to get your infant ready for tummy time
Learn how to develop your infant's ability to lie independently on their stomach Read More»
Win a shoe autographed by Steve Nash and a $200 Sport Chek gift card
Find the Steve Nash graphic at Active for Life for your chance to enter Read More»
5 tips for having an active lifestyle on a limited budget
Increase your child’s physical activity without increasing your budget Read More»
Study: Active video games can’t replace real activity
Active video games are an incomplete strategy to get kids physically active Read More»
Track your child’s activity with Active for Life’s handy, printable log
This log helps parents schedule activity times, promote variety and celebrate milestones Read More»
Connect kids with winter on the five senses walk
Using hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell, children can learn about their outdoor environment Read More»
Outdoor activities offer most “pleasure per penny”
Playing outdoors encourages active habits while being easy on the wallet Read More»
4 tips to control screen time
Teach your children a ‘token’ system that they can use to redeem time with TV and video games Read More»
Nine-year-old girl loses 65 pounds
Healthy nutrition and physical activity should be a regular family undertaking Read More»
The case for ‘provocative’ playgrounds
Playgrounds should be safe for children, but not to the extent that they impede healthy activity Read More»
Parents push kids into ‘athletic arms race’
It's a troubling new trend, children being encouraged early on to specialize in one sport Read More»
Study: healthy habits best introduced in early childhood
A Swedish study determines that proper diet and active lifestyle habits are crucial to helping younger children lose weight Read More»
Physical literacy testing splits British public
People don't seem to know how to deal with the problem of childhood obesity Read More»
Read Active for Life’s December newsletter
Holiday gifts to improve physical literacy, contest winners, life lessons, and more Read More»
12 days of active holiday fun
This holiday season, there are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities families can enjoy together Read More»
10 toys that give the gift of physical literacy
Holiday gift ideas that will help your child stay active, and have fun doing it Read More»
Physical and health education curricula for all Canadian provinces
Guides to providing physical literacy and activity homework for your children Read More»
Selected student-learning objectives from Manitoba’s Grade 6 health and physical education curriculum
Fitness, movement and lifestyle guidelines to help promote physical literacy and well-being Read More»
Hockey Canada releases concussion app
Available for Android, Blackberry and iOS devices, they help users understand concussions Read More»
PISE brings physical literacy to school
Physical literacy programs teach kids essential movement skills Read More»
Mother of 3 girls wins Geox shoes in Active for Life contest
The contest was based on the public service announcement featuring Vincent Lecavalier Read More»
Too many 4-year-old kids who can’t crawl: study
A lack of basic movement skills is linked to poor achievement in school Read More»
Soccer: Skills before games for child players
Success in soccer depends on dribbling, passing and shooting Read More»
Girls having fun in Skateistan, Afghanistan
These Afghan girls are confident, full of joy and great skaters Read More»
‘Let Me Play’: 1995 Nike ad still relevant today
Kids who play sports have better health, happiness and social habits Read More»
Improving kids’ hockey: More players, better skills
Hockey Canada's Corey McNabb talks about the importance of fun Read More»
Find a quality team sport program
Learn about quality children's programs in a variety of team sports Read More»
Sleeping habits key to healthy children, studies say
Kids are suffering from the screens in their bedrooms Read More»
Bringing back play: Participaction’s Kelly Murumets
A new way to promote active kids and families Read More»
Find a quality speed skating program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to speed skating Read More»
Find a quality karate program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to karate Read More»
Find a quality hockey program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to hockey Read More»
Find a quality soccer program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to soccer Read More»
Find a quality basketball program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to basketball Read More»
Participaction launches new website, new initiative
Bring Back Play is designed to get kids into more unstructured free play Read More»
Find a quality swimming program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to swimming Read More»
Find a quality gymnastics program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to gymnastics Read More»
Find a quality figure skating program
Here's how you can get your child the right introduction to figure skating Read More»
Celebrating International Day of the Girl
We can do a better job of getting girls involved in sport and physical activity Read More»
NHL star Vincent Lecavalier walks a tightrope
The hockey player shows a group of children how to do the tightrope walking activity Read More»
Physically active children do better on academic tests
On literacy and numeracy tests, physically active kids achieved better Read More»
Nike launches ‘Designed to Move’ program in U.S.
What would your child do if they lived 5 more years Read More»
Kicking for children with a physical disability
Practice this easy kicking activity with your child Read More»
Find a quality individual sport program
Learn about quality children's programs in a variety of individual sports Read More»
Re:activating your kids after school
How parents can better support their kids being more active Read More»
Statscan: A third of Canadian children overweight or obese
The most recent Canadian Health Measures Survey reports troubling numbers Read More»
Physical literacy and the school system
A new video from PHE Canada lays out precisely why physical literacy ought to have a place in the Canadian school system. Mastering fundamental movement skills and understanding the significance ... Read More»
Olympians credit their success to diverse sports
Professional athletes credit their international success to having played a variety of sports during childhood Read More»
Creating active play time, anytime
Active, unstructured play is important for healthy development Read More»
New physical literacy program gets funding from Canadian government
Active and Safe for Life - Physical Literacy being piloted in B.C. and Newfoundland Read More»
Canadian kids not getting enough active play
The 2012 report card from Active Healthy Kids Canada assigns an "F" to physical activity levels Read More»
Active for Life recipes
From mains to sandwiches, sides and snacks, enjoy these healthy alternatives Read More»
Benoit Huot wins gold
Canadian swimmer sets world record in the 200 metre individual medley Read More»
Governor General salutes physical literacy
Physical literacy has a new supporter: His Excellency David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada. On July 19, 2012, the Governor General was the guest of honour at a special ... Read More»
Increasing medals with Active for Life
A nation of healthy and active citizens lasts for life Read More»
Children with special needs require physical literacy
Physical literacy should be a goal for all families with children of special needs Read More»
Canadian kids drink too much pop
Sugary drinks can double the risk of children being overweight and obese Read More»
Measuring your kids’ activity with a smartphones
A university professor is developing a mobile app to track daily physical activity Read More»
Jennifer Heil calls for new approach for girls in sport
Girls can be feminine and athletic says the multiple medal winner Read More»
Television expanding more than the minds of your kids
A new study shows that the longer your child sits in front of the television, the bigger their waist size. Read More»
Soccer for kids: Build skills, goals will come
Kids playing soccer should be encouraged to become creative Read More»
What Alexandre Despatie and Canadian kids have in common
Support from B2ten benefits elite athletes and active children Read More»
More evidence Canadian kids not active enough
New survey shows 70 to 90 percent of young Canadian teens are inactive Read More»
Brent Hayden credits karate for bronze medal
The Canadian Olympian says the martial art helped him be a better swimmer Read More»
Get the entire family playing pickup soccer
Soccer is an easy game to understand and it's fun to play Read More»
Nike reminds us that we can all find greatness
Nike's latest video shows us everyday people achieving great things Read More»
Let your children have a summer of play
Unstructured play is essential to positive childhood development Read More»
Your child is not a miniature elite athlete
Quebec's David Arsenault helps parents give kids the right start Read More»
Clara Hughes: Multi-sport believer
Clara Hughes embraces a multi-sport approach in every facet of her life Read More»
When children grow up to be superheroes
Meet the superhumans. Active for life no matter the challenge Read More»
Social networking: Increasing physical activity?
Peer pressure gets a bad rap, especially from parents of young kids, but new research has found that persuasive friends can have a positive effect: increased physical activity. A report ... Read More»
Summer challenge: Limiting screen time in favour of the sun
There are many factors influencing Canadian children’s daily activity levels, but increased screen time is a growing concern Read More»
7 questions to ask your kids while watching the Olympics
The Olympics provide a great opportunity for you to connect with your kids Read More»
“Give your everything”
Imagine how you might feel as your child steps onto an Olympic podium, waving arms, face wide with a grin, eyes searching the crowd for a glimpse of you. Even ... Read More»
Summer day camps for kids
Many municipalities offer day camps or specialized camps. Some are general programs that give kids a chance at many different types of activities, including sports, outdoor adventures and museum and ... Read More»
Keep girls in sport
Do you have a daughter? This short video is sure to stir your emotions Read More»
Teaching tennis to little kids
Did you know that there’s a new way of teaching tennis to little kids? Under 10 tennis is a great program where the equipment and the course are made to ... Read More»
Gatorade and kids: weight gain and high blood pressure
Sport drinks contain enough sugar to cause significant weight gain in kids Read More»
Encourage a girl, increase her physical activity
We want all Canadian kids to develop physical literacy and stay active for life, but motivating both boys and girls to participate in sport and activity isn’t a cookie-cutter process. ... Read More»
Will the skates stay sharp this summer?
The NHL has finally wrapped another season (congratulations to the L.A. Kings), but a new hockey season is only a few months away. Canada’s love for hockey is year round, ... Read More»
Child health alert: Hypertension and high blood pressure
Does your child have high blood pressure? With one third of American children overweight or obese, doctors have raised a new concern for their health: hypertension and high blood pressure. ... Read More»
10 tips for parents: Keeping your feet (cleats or skates) firmly on the ground
Working with others. Group dynamics. Teamwork. Kids learn these valuable skills – which are important on and off the field – when they participate in quality team sport programs. But ... Read More»
English soccer goes kid-friendly
Recent changes in Canadian youth sports that promote children’s physical literacy are starting to happen in other countries. The motherland of soccer, England, is making sweeping changes to kids’ “football”. ... Read More»
June 15 is Nature Play Day
Here’s another reason to get outside. Friday, June 15 is Nature Play Day in Canada. The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada is encouraging all Canadians to get outdoors to experience ... Read More»
Disney limits junk food advertising
Children’s television just got a little healthier. Walt Disney Company will limit junk food advertising on the Disney Channel starting 2015, they announced this past Monday. “We want parents to ... Read More»
The problem with safe playgrounds
“The best thing a parent can give a child is the chance at a broken arm…” I can’t remember where I heard that. Or who said it. Although I thought ... Read More»
Measure what you treasure; Are schools going too far in measuring student BMI?
When I am not working at Active for Life, I am an “human and organizational performance consultant”. It’s a long title. What it means is that people and organizations hire ... Read More»
How to build a healthier, smarter student
This article is the second in a series of three at the Globe and Mail looking at children’s fitness and education. It poses the question “Are physically active kids better ... Read More»
Physical activity leads to better school grades
This article is the first in a series of three at the Globe and Mail on children’s fitness and education. It touches on the connection between physical activity and better ... Read More»
50 things to do before you’re 12
Are your kids spending too much time indoors? The National Trust of England is taking a fresh approach to getting kids active outdoors by publishing a “bucket list” – 50 ... Read More»
Scrub baseball
It’s baseball season and there’s no better time to get outside with a bat and ball and your kids. You don’t need to be part of a league to play. ... Read More»
The hardest job, the best job
We know how difficult it can be to be a mom. A new commercial promoting the London 2012 Olympic Games shows us just how rewarding it can be, too. When ... Read More»
“Move more, live longer”: How other countries get the message across
At Active for Life, we promote physical literacy as a path for children’s health and success, but we also believe in delivering the cold, hard facts about the crisis. It’s ... Read More»
“My Active Kid” Video Contest
Kids are amazing — they play soccer, hockey, baseball, tennis, they ski, skateboard climb, run and jump. There is no end to what a healthy child can do. They are amazing ... Read More»
Canada: obesity prevails, physical fitness in decline
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has developed the first Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years for children aged 0 – 4 years. These national guidelines were ... Read More»
Own the Podium shifts focus to include Canadian kids
The mission of the Own the Podium organization is clear: “To lead the development of Canadian sports to achieve sustainable podium performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.” To help Canadian ... Read More»
Well-rounded athletes make the best hockey players
The best junior hockey players on the planet have gathered in Edmonton and Calgary to compete for the 2012 World Championships. Canadian players are rated at the top of this ... Read More»
4 statistics that might affect your child’s health
As parents, we’ve heard the expert’s opinion that because of poor life habits, today’s children may not live as long as their parents. This hasn’t been the case since medieval ... Read More»
Girls in sport: startling statistics
If you have a daughter, there’s good reason to be concerned about her future in sport and physical activity. The statistics are bleak and there might be worrisome consequences for ... Read More»
Remember Canada’s child fitness tax credit
As you’re working on your taxes this year, remember the credit you can claim because you enrolled your kids in a sports program. The Children’s Fitness Tax Credit is worth up to ... Read More»
Are complete athletes the best hockey players?
In our January 2012 newsletter we featured a story about the Canadian National Junior team as they prepared for the 2012 Hockey World Championship. During breaks in practice, we asked the players about their ... Read More»
Respect in hockey
Regina parents who want their kids to play hockey next fall will have to complete a training course first. Parents in Alberta will also have to take the one hour, online program, called Respect in Sport. ... Read More»
Calgary Flames support physical literacy study
A couple of years ago, if you had done a Google search on the words “physical literacy”, you wouldn’t have found much. Today, the same search delivers more than 42 ... Read More»
