EDRD 3500
Introduction
Recreational activities are a critical aspect to the proper development of children. This paper will focus on the recreational benefits and recreational constraints on children living in rural areas throughout Canada in recreational activities. It will examine both the physical and psychological benefits that recreation provides for children living in rural areas. For this paper, the term ‘recreation’ will refer to any activity that includes physical activity as well as various activities that promote a child to ‘play’.
Background Information
The population of children in Canada between the ages of 0 to 14 is approximately 5,663,200, representing 16.2% of the overall population (Statistics Canada, 2012). Of this population, approximately 3,800,217 fall between the ages of 5-14. I would classify these as ‘children’ factoring out infants.
As is the trend with the overall population, the vast majority of children reside in urban areas. However, 17.2% of this population currently resides in ‘rural’ areas (Statistics Canada, 2011). A ‘rural’ area is one that outside of a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) or Census Agglomerations (CA). A CMA is an urban area above a population of 100,000 inhabitants while a CA is a population ranging between 10,000 - 100,000 inhabitants. By this I mean that a rural area is one that is located outside of a city or town with a population of less than 1,000 inhabitants.
The overall population of children within Canada has been steadily decreasing over the last 13 years. In 2001 19% of the population was represented by children under the age of 15 (0-14 Year olds), and 34% of that population was located in rural areas (Statistics Canada, 2001). Moving from 2006 forward to 2011, there was a decrease of 1% of children under the age of 14 located in rural areas. By 2030, it is projected to drop to as low as 16% of the overall population (Statistics Canada, 2012).
Where the children are located is a key influencer of
Recreational activities are a critical aspect to the proper development of children. This paper will focus on the recreational benefits and recreational constraints on children living in rural areas throughout Canada in recreational activities. It will examine both the physical and psychological benefits that recreation provides for children living in rural areas. For this paper, the term ‘recreation’ will refer to any activity that includes physical activity as well as various activities that promote a child to ‘play’.
Background Information
The population of children in Canada between the ages of 0 to 14 is approximately 5,663,200, representing 16.2% of the overall population (Statistics Canada, 2012). Of this population, approximately 3,800,217 fall between the ages of 5-14. I would classify these as ‘children’ factoring out infants.
As is the trend with the overall population, the vast majority of children reside in urban areas. However, 17.2% of this population currently resides in ‘rural’ areas (Statistics Canada, 2011). A ‘rural’ area is one that outside of a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) or Census Agglomerations (CA). A CMA is an urban area above a population of 100,000 inhabitants while a CA is a population ranging between 10,000 - 100,000 inhabitants. By this I mean that a rural area is one that is located outside of a city or town with a population of less than 1,000 inhabitants.
The overall population of children within Canada has been steadily decreasing over the last 13 years. In 2001 19% of the population was represented by children under the age of 15 (0-14 Year olds), and 34% of that population was located in rural areas (Statistics Canada, 2001). Moving from 2006 forward to 2011, there was a decrease of 1% of children under the age of 14 located in rural areas. By 2030, it is projected to drop to as low as 16% of the overall population (Statistics Canada, 2012).
Where the children are located is a key influencer of
Bibliography: Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute. (2010) Section A: Physical Activity and Sport Participation Rates in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.cflri.ca/media/node/385/files/p04_section_a.pdf Canadian Policy Research Networks Inc Gilliland J., Holmes M., Irwin J., Tucker P. (2006) Environmental Equity is Childs Play: Mapping Public Provision of Recreation Opportunities in Urban Neighbourhoods. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies. Janz K., Letuchy E., Eichenberger Gilmore J., Burns T., Torner J., Willing M., and Levy S. (2010) Early Physical Activity Provides Sustained Bone Health Benefits Later in Childhood. Basic Sciences. Jennissen, T. (1992). Health Issues in Rural Canada. Political and Social Affairs Division. Statistics Canada. (2008). Kids’ Sports. (Cat no 11-008-X). Ottawa, Canada: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada. (2012). The Canadian Population in 2011: Age and Sex. (Cat no 98-311-X2011001). Ottawa, Canada: Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada. (2012). Population by age and sex. Retrieved from http://http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-215-x/2012000/part-partie2-eng.html