Grant: Operating Grant

The overall objective of this research is to identify ways to revive children's engagement in active free play. We will conduct three studies: Study 1 will examine changes in the good parenting ideal, and factors that have influenced these changes, in relation to play. Interviews will be conducted with parents and grandparents living in urban and rural areas. Study 2 will examine children's preferences for the provision of play opportunities in their communities. Children from urban and rural areas will complete 'walk-along' interviews, drawing/mapping activities, and an individual interview. Study 3 will examine policy and planning decisions, and factors that have influenced these decisions, in relation to children's play. Adult community leaders from an urban and rural area will be interviewed. Municipal archives will also be obtained and analysed. Combined, this research will address critical gaps in the literature and identify determinants of play that will inform future health promotion campaigns, at both the provincial level (i.e., Alberta Health's Healthy U initiative) and national level (i.e., the follow-up to ParticipACTION's Bring Back Play campaign).