Written for and published by SportsExpress.ca (January/February 2013).

In Canada, we come by our need to hibernate through the winter months quite naturally. The inclination to burrow under blankets and in front of the television is a hard one to ignore – despite resolutions to be active more, we seem to do less. And because children often look to their parents as role models, they’re at risk for being less active through the winter months as well.

With before and after school programs for children in over 200 school locations and 20 early learning and child care centres, PLASP Child Care Services recognizes the importance of physical activity and outdoor time - year-round.

Weather permitting, children in the PLASP programs go outside on a daily basis. In addition, a minimum number of active game sessions are offered each week.

Kathleen Alfano, Director of Child Research at Fisher Price, points out that children are drawn to playing outdoors. The benefits of outdoor time for children are many. According to Alfano, “it allows them to explore their environment, develop muscle strength and coordination, and gain self-confidence. Playing actively outdoors also increases flexibility, fine and gross motor skills and is related to the development of a wide variety of physical skills, including those involved in sports.”

And according to www.everydayhealth.com, Deborah Quilter, director of yoga at the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mt. Sinai Hospital, says that “staying active in the winter boosts immunity by keeping the lymphatic system active.” She also argues that in order for fitness to be effective, it must be consistent.

Physical activity throughout the year is something that PLASP parents can rely on, regardless of the season.

“Children are given the opportunity to participate in a number of physical activities during the winter months to keep them active,” says Sandy Edmonds, Director of Operations, School Age Programs at PLASP. “We like to bring the children outdoors whenever we can, but during inclement weather, a lot of our programs can use the school gymnasium for games and sports that require lots of running, jumping or moving around.”

Popular wintertime activities amongst children enrolled in PLASP programs include building snowmen, igloos or snow sculptures, sledding (where available), or creating “snow art” using colored water in squeeze bottles. Children participating in Professional Activity Days also have access to a variety of wintertime activities including ice skating and visits to outdoor conservation areas. Other Professional Activity Days may include bowling, dance parties and enrichment activities such as Zumba.

If your child is enrolled in a PLASP Before or After School program, they are getting an adequate amount of daily activity Monday to Friday, even during the winter months. Hopefully, this takes some of the pressure off of you as a parent to get your children moving on the weekends – when you’d all rather be cozy and warm inside.