Children's Return to Play During COVID-19

This video tells a story about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents' and their children's physical activity and sport behaviours. In Ontario, various COVID-19 public health measures were enforced after the onset of the pandemic in 2020 to reduce the spread of the virus. Such measures included various closures of physical activity-supporting environments, such as: outdoor recreation facilities (e.g., basketball courts), schools, and community centres. These closures left many parents struggling to keep themselves and their children active while spending large amounts of time at home. This video reveals perspectives from Ontario parents and children during pandemic times, concerning their movement behaviours and overall well-being. The video aligns with the mandate as participating in physical activity during childhood plays an important role in supporting optimal growth and development. Not only does physical activity promote good health, but it also plays a role in chronic disease prevention, supports social connections, and mental health. As many parents and children had to adapt their lives (e.g., shift from attending in-person school/work each day to remote learning/working), the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic can inform future instances of extended stay-at-home periods; specifically, findings from our study (and video) provide examples of what families can do to maintain their healthy movement behaviours, and to prevent social isolation during stay-at-home periods to ensure optimal growth and healthy development milestones are being met.