How do children, youth and families in rural communities participate in free play?
To explore this question, we used photovoice (pictures and story-telling) with community members from the County of St. Paul. They shared their perceptions of free play and the facilitators and barriers to free play in their communities.
What are some key strategies that rural communities can promote to encourage free play?
- Get outside: tobogganing in the winter is fun for the whole family
- Find a team: team sports can bring the community together
- When it’s cold, play inside: dancing, playing games, and puzzles are great ways to play inside
- Play with friends: both kids and their parents benefit from time with their friends
- Don’t forget mom: mothers may need time to play too and take time for them
Play Across the Seasons
- Dr. Candace Nykiforuk, School of Public Health, University of Alberta (Principal Investigator)
- Dr. Helen Vallianatos, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, Unviersity of Alberta (Co-Investigator)
- Nykiforuk, C., Vallianatos, H., Nieuwendyk, L., McLeod, N. (2012). Changing with the seasons: Understanding free play among children, youth, and families in a small rural-urban community in Alberta. Edmonton, AB: School of Public Health, University of Alberta.
- 2011 Alberta Rural Development Network
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