In Situ Lab receives funding to investigate climate change, mental health, and outdoor play among children

In Situ Lab receives funding from SSHRC to investigate climate change, mental health, and outdoor play among children living in megacities, with New York City as a case city.

Lee E-Y, Yi KJ, de Lannoy L, Tremblay M. Nostalgic bliss or sustainable shift: Rethinking outdoor play in the age of climate change. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant.

Lay Abstract 

Outdoor play provides opportunities for children to freely explore their curiosity, take safe risks, and gain several health benefits spanning physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. Furthermore, outdoor play can serve as a catalyst for fostering resilience, environmental stewardship, and a connection to the land, and supporting children to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. However, outdoor play has been decreasing over the past three decades with a generational break since late 1980s. This decline is attributed to rapid development and shift such as urbanization, technological advances, changing social dynamics, whether conditions, as well as the escalating competition with technology-driven, indoor activities, which children often prefer. The opportunities for outdoor play are notably limited for children living in mega cities, with geographic and class divide. The objectives of this project are: (O1) to explore how outdoor play is perceived and practiced among children living in mega cities, (O2) to identify support mechanisms that could enhance access and opportunities for outdoor play, and (O3) to initiate discussions on climate change and outdoor play, with the aim of reviving outdoor play experiences from our childhood to children and parents/caregivers today through the creation of a short documentary film.