Children in Canada are increasingly glued to their screens, spending considerably less time engaging in active play such as tossing a ball or hopping around energetically. This shift toward sedentary lifestyles is sparking a significant public health crisis. Beyond the immediate loss of physical fitness benefits, kids who remain inactive during their early years frequently carry these habits into adulthood, leading to persistent health challenges and chronic conditions.
This is precisely why the PLAYshop initiative has emerged as a vital solution to address these concerns effectively.
Crafted by Valerie Carson, a distinguished professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta, along with her dedicated research team, PLAYshop stands as the pioneering global program specifically designed to equip parents with the tools to foster physical literacy. It achieves this by promoting intentional, playful interactions with their preschool-aged children.
One of the core elements of PLAYshop involves actively involving parents in enjoyable games alongside their kids. These activities are carefully structured to enhance essential skills, boost children’s intrinsic motivation, and build their self-assurance in movement, according to Carson.
Through this approach, parents are not just playing; they are infusing these joyful moments with deliberate purpose. The ultimate aim is to cultivate physical literacy, which equips children with the foundational abilities and confidence needed to remain physically active across all stages of their lives.
In a rigorously designed randomized controlled trial conducted across Western Canada with 122 participating children, parents attended a comprehensive one-hour virtual workshop. The session delved into essential fundamental movements, including overhand and underhand throwing techniques, jumping and hopping maneuvers, and maintaining balance on a single leg. To support hands-on practice, participants received a special equipment package—often called a ‘goody bag’—filled with balls and various other play items. Additionally, informative leaflets detailed precise instructions on utilizing the equipment effectively. Complementing these resources was a user-friendly app featuring an extensive online toolkit, along with four follow-up virtual booster sessions to reinforce learning.
The findings from this study, recently detailed in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, revealed substantial positive outcomes. There was a notable uptick in parents actively demonstrating physical activities for their children—a practice known as modeling. Equally impressive was the surge in co-participation, where parents and kids jointly engaged in play. A significant number of PLAYshop parents also shared heartening observations about their children’s growing confidence and proficiency in physical literacy skills.
One delighted parent reflected, ‘I was amazed at how swiftly we bonded through these shared activities. It was truly rewarding to witness.’ Another participant added insightfully, ‘You truly don’t grasp what you’re missing until you try something like this. Suddenly, it becomes clear: breaking down skills into manageable steps makes learning so much more effective and enjoyable.’
Encouraging parents to join their children in games forms the cornerstone of the PLAYshop methodology, Carson emphasizes. She points out that parents wield tremendous influence over their young children’s health behaviors and overall well-being during these formative preschool years. A central takeaway from the program is empowering children to guide the play, allowing them to express their ideas and adapt games creatively to suit their preferences.
Equally crucial is tailoring the activities to an appropriate level of difficulty. Carson explains that if a task proves too challenging, children may become discouraged and frustrated. Conversely, if it’s overly simplistic, they risk losing interest and becoming disengaged. Striking the perfect balance is key.
To achieve this, facilitators suggest experimenting with variations, such as using larger or smaller objects for throwing and catching exercises. The objective is to pinpoint that ideal challenge point where the activity remains thoroughly enjoyable, free from any negativity or risk of injury. Everything centers on pure, unadulterated fun that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Looking ahead, Carson is actively expanding the reach of PLAYshop by training community leaders in recreation and physical activity sectors. This strategic move aims to disseminate the program more widely, enabling it to touch the lives of even more parents—and by extension, countless additional children—both immediately and over the long term.
She underscores the profound value of instilling healthy physical activity routines from the earliest ages. These early patterns yield instant advantages for children’s development, while also paving the way for enduring gains in physical health, mental well-being, and cognitive growth that can last a lifetime.
By prioritizing purposeful play, PLAYshop not only combats the rising tide of screen time but also equips families with practical, evidence-based strategies to nurture active, confident, and healthy kids. The program’s success in the trial highlights its potential as a scalable intervention, one that could transform public health outcomes for generations to come.
Parents participating in PLAYshop often discover newfound joy in these interactions, strengthening family bonds while simultaneously laying the groundwork for their children’s lifelong commitment to movement. The virtual format proves particularly accessible, allowing busy families to integrate these lessons seamlessly into their routines without the barriers of travel or scheduling conflicts.
Fundamental movements taught—such as precise throwing arcs, dynamic jumping patterns, and stable balancing—serve as building blocks for more complex athletic skills later on. The equipment goody bags ensure that practice is immediately feasible, turning theoretical knowledge into tangible, everyday experiences.
Booster sessions via the app provide ongoing reinforcement, helping sustain momentum and address any hurdles parents encounter. Feedback from participants consistently praises the program’s simplicity and effectiveness, making it a standout resource in the realm of early childhood physical development.
As Carson’s team continues to refine and broaden PLAYshop, the emphasis remains on evidence-driven practices that prioritize fun, inclusivity, and measurable progress. This holistic approach not only enhances physical literacy but also fosters emotional resilience and social skills through shared family playtime.
In essence, PLAYshop represents a beacon of hope in reversing the alarming trends of childhood inactivity, offering parents the empowerment they need to guide their little ones toward vibrant, active futures.
