Work, play and fun – do those words really go together? Oh yeah! As a Regional Physical Activity Coordinator, I sometimes get to “play” for my job. This week I attended a workshop with some awesome people from around Nova Scotia. Some I work with and some I’ve never met before BUT, we all have the same mandate – getting people more active.

So what happens when you put us in a room to listen to someone speak ? Well…a little fun happens! The workshop had two topics: Programming to Attract AND Retain Inactive People and Active Play Through Ages and Stages. As you can see by the photo, our “Happy Face” developed some other features throughout the day and we may have blown some bubbles, had sword fights and played with stickers while listening to presenters. Hey – they put the stuff on our tables!

Now, I could write a long, very detailed post about these topics – maybe I will some day – but for now I’ll leave you with a few things I learned…random facts if you must:

1. Rats prefer the sugar in Oreo’s more than Cocaine.
2. Unstructured play is critical to children’s development.
3. We need to normalize “Silly Play” and just go with it. When was the last time you ran through a sprinkler with your clothing on? Me, last weekend with  my girls and neighbour 🙂 Don’t be afraid to be silly AND play!
4. If you are competent and confident with an activity then you are more likely to continue participating in the activity. Example: if you have never been taught the skills in lacrosse…how to hold your stick, throw and catch a ball then you are not competent or confident to join in a game.
5. The Helicopter Parent vs. the Hummingbird Parent – LOVE THIS!

It was also my birthday yesterday…the big 3-4 🙂 I got to spend the day with 50 ish people, played tag {silly play} during our lunch break for 30 minutes, had numerous Facebook messages AND Twitter (Thanks Salt!) and message on my phone.

I came home to the three people I love the most with lots of hugs and kisses. We had a great dinner (home-made Indian Dahl – yum) and some cake too! And yes, I got the “Oh She Glow’s” Cookbook for my birthday – I’ve wanted this for a while and couldn’t put it down last night. Oh my, I see some GOOD eats ahead of us!

So I worked a little, learned more about play and had a fun birthday! See: Work, Play, Fun CAN go together 🙂 I plan on having a little more FUN this weekend in a soccer tournament … yeah, I’m #pumped

Have you heard about the Helicopter Parent or Hummingbird Parent?

Which one are you more like?

When was the last time you just played and didn’t care about the risk ?

Weekend plans?