Mariana Brussoni's Avatar

Mariana Brussoni

@mbrussoni

Professor & Director, Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), University of British Columbia. Studying how to bring #riskyplay back to children’s lives. Lab: @outsideplayubc.bsky.social https://OutsidePlay.org HELP: https://earlylearning.ubc.ca

365
Followers
204
Following
20
Posts
08.01.2024
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni

Right now on The Early Edition:
New research out of UBC is looking at the developmental health of the children who were born during the pandemic.
The study assessed more than 30 thousand kindergarteners in B.C.
And the findings are concerning.
Watch here:www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

15.12.2025 14:52 👍 9 🔁 5 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn | Live Radio | CBC Listen The Early Edition is Vancouver's connection to the latest breaking local news, interviews that cut through the spin, and community stories and personalities that surprise and delight.

Human Early Learning Partnership's Dr. Martin Guhn @ubcpublichealth.bsky.social spoke with @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social this morning on our Early Years Disrupted report. Listen in www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

15.12.2025 16:36 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Green Schoolyard Lecture Series — Green Schoolyards America The Green Schoolyard Lecture Series discusses emerging topics and provides guidance for creating and stewarding high-quality green schoolyards and schoolyard forests. Sessions feature presentations by...

Embracing Risky Schoolyard Play for Exploration, Learning, and Growth - Dr. Mariana Brussoni's online session from Nov. 6th, the third in the Green Schoolyard Lecture Series www.greenschoolyards.org/green-school...

26.11.2025 18:04 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1
Preview
More than one-third of B.C. kindergarteners struggle in core areas of development, study finds University of British Columbia research shows young children doing worse in almost every category compared to pre-pandemic levels

More than one-third of B.C. kindergarteners struggle in core areas of development, study finds | @theglobeandmail.com [subscription required to view] - w/ research from UBC's Human Early Learning Partnership www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/briti...

09.12.2025 18:13 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1
Call for conference presentations on outdoor play in early care and learning

Call for conference presentations on outdoor play in early care and learning

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS for the 2026 Children the Heart of the Matter Conference -- Rooted in Nature: Exploring Outdoor Play and our Connection to the Land!

Dr. Mariana Brussoni will be the keynote speaker for the conference! www.childcareoptions.ca/children-the... @mbrussoni.bsky.social

17.04.2025 17:20 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Are extreme sports good for kids? B.C. experts weigh in on benefits of risk taking A new exhibit at Science World in Vancouver challenges people of all ages to explore some of the most thrilling sports in the world.

Are extreme sports good for kids? B.C. experts weigh in on benefits of risk taking | @tiffycrawford.bsky.social on the new Science World exhibit, w/interview w/Mariana Brussoni on the importance of risky play @mbrussoni.bsky.social
vancouversun.com/news/are-ext... via @vancouversun.bsky.social

10.02.2025 17:01 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
To thrive, Metro Vancouver's kids need communities, not just housing How do we set up the next generation for success? This is the final story in Postmedia’s How Canada Wins series.

“We should be asking how do we make kids want to walk to school and make it safe to do so.” - Dr. Mariana Brussoni in today's @vancouversun.bsky.social article 'To thrive, Metro Vancouver's kids need communities, not just housing' vancouversun.com/news/to-thri...
@mbrussoni.bsky.social

27.03.2025 21:48 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 2
Preview
Outdoor Learning Across the Curriculum - Outdoor Learning School & Store Scroll Down to Register FREE 60 min Virtual Workshop on Tuesday, April 22 at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern Time With Simon Beames,Heidi Smith, Peter Higgins and Robbie Nicol Join […]

Virtual workshop hosted by Canada's Outdoor Learning School & Store. Join the fun!

@drheidismith.bsky.social @perfinker.bsky.social @ryanbarfoot.bsky.social @erthsarah.bsky.social @creativestar.bsky.social @mbrussoni.bsky.social
@outdoorlearningjd.bsky.social
outdoorlearning.com/event/across...

01.04.2025 13:18 👍 7 🔁 5 💬 1 📌 0
Preview
Soft spaces out, stick-fighting in: Dutch call for the return of risky play Encouraging kids to play with fire? Hear us out, says party worried by the Netherlands’ increasingly sedentary ways

Exciting to see politicians in The Netherlands ensuring all children can experience the benefits of #riskyplay!
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

04.02.2025 16:29 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Some Wichita schools are easing up on recess rules, citing the benefits of 'risky play' A growing body of research shows that climbing high, running fast and conquering fears can improve childrens physical and mental health and help them get along with peers.

Way to go Wichita for bringing #riskyplay into school playgrounds!
ourcommunitynow.com/P/some-wichi...

22.01.2025 17:57 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

@outsideplayubc.bsky.social

09.01.2025 20:47 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Why kids need to take more risks: science reveals the benefits of wild, free play Studies reveal how risky play can benefit child development. But encouraging it can be a challenge for parents.

Why kids need to take more risks: science reveals the benefits of wild, free play to child development. But encouraging it can be a challenge for parents, by @plantnerd.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/d41... via @nature.com @mbrussoni.bsky.social #pediatrics #RiskyPlay

09.01.2025 19:23 👍 56 🔁 25 💬 1 📌 3
Preview
Book - Katherine Johnson Martinko The Book Screens are everywhere. Children spend an average of 7.5 hours on digital devices every day with profoundly negative consequences. While some tech may “amplify” real-life experiences, the vas...

To read more from Katherine Johnson Martinko, check out her book, Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance. It includes Dr. Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni.bsky.social and our work on the importance of unstructured, outdoor risky play katherinemartinko.ca/book/

06.01.2025 18:20 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Parents, It’s OK To Do Less Why parenting less might be the best thing we can do for our children

"Parents, It’s OK To Do Less" - Katherine Johnson Martinko's latest piece on Jonathan Haidt's After Babel Substack: www.afterbabel.com/p/parents-it...

06.01.2025 18:09 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0

In case you missed it, this was my starter pack for voices and organizations in Canadian Urbanism specifically. I’ve been adding to it over time, so even if you explored it before, you might want to see who’s been added. And sharing it would be much appreciated! #UrbanistShoutOut go.bsky.app/QWdmJjk

04.01.2025 01:15 👍 181 🔁 52 💬 8 📌 8

Top most read posts of 2024 on Jon Haidt's blog, including, at #5, Mariana Brussoni's Why Children Need Risk, Fear, and Excitement in Play:

03.01.2025 17:50 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
The Year The Phone-Based Childhood Began To Reverse 2024 in Review

In 2024, @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social's book, Anxious Generation, hit a nerve propelling a movement away from phones and towards a play-based childhood. Jon highlights our work in his book & substack. Here's to making outdoor play a daily joy for all children in 2025!
substack.com/home/post/p-...

01.01.2025 19:35 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1
Post image

🎧 Dr. Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni.bsky.social
recently joined Chris Tompkins in conversation about outdoor, risky play! Listen to the Shaping Our World, Nov. 28th, podcast: muskokawoods.com/letting-kids...

02.12.2024 19:04 👍 4 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Post image Post image Post image

Appreciate these seen in Halifax. How have our priorities become so warped that cars are more important than people? This is part of what I research and I still find it baffling #roadsafety
@visionzeroyvr.bsky.social
@brenttoderian.bsky.social

02.12.2024 03:46 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
People riding in a bike-lane

People riding in a bike-lane

“Every $1,300 New York invested in building bike-lanes in 2015 provided benefits equivalent to 1 additional year of life at full health over the lifetime of all city residents, according to a new economic assessment.”

Bike-lanes are a sound public health investment.
www.reuters.com/article/busi...

02.12.2024 03:24 👍 602 🔁 166 💬 10 📌 19
Preview
Want To Make Money? Build A Business On A Bike Lane Research from New York City notes that newly installed protected bike lanes do more than keep bikers safe--they raise the income of the stores they are in front of.

“Local stores next to the protected bike-lane have seen a 49% increase in sales, compared to an average of 3% for Manhattan as a whole.”

(Among MANY other public benefits.)

Want To Make Money? Build A Business On A Bike Lane. #CityMakingMath @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/90182112/wan...

01.12.2024 03:26 👍 594 🔁 186 💬 15 📌 10

We’ve really lost the plot as a society!

30.11.2024 16:59 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

As a very satisfied e-bike commuter, this makes me even happier. I notice i take trips I wouldn’t attempt on a regular bike

30.11.2024 04:50 👍 31 🔁 2 💬 2 📌 0
Small child cycling confidently on a separated cycle lane

Small child cycling confidently on a separated cycle lane

Rule of thumb for future cycling infrastructure planners:

If children can't cycle on it safely, it's not fit for purpose.

29.11.2024 16:58 👍 172 🔁 36 💬 2 📌 3
Preview
Letting Kids Take Risks: Insights from Dr. Mariana Brussoni Discover why risky outdoor play is crucial for child development in this episode with Dr. Mariana Brussoni.

🌟I really enjoyed my conversation with Chris Tompkins for this podcast! Listen in as we talk about #riskyplay, why it's so important and what parents can do to support it
muskokawoods.com/letting-kids...
#outdoorplay
#outdoorlearning
@outsideplayubc.bsky.social

29.11.2024 22:12 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

You’re an angel for sure 💕

29.11.2024 20:57 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Count me and the lab in, @creativestar.bsky.social!
Please add @outsideplayubc.bsky.social too

29.11.2024 14:14 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

I've just created an outdoor learning and play enthusiasts starter pack. Let me know if you want to be added. Experiments never fail... go.bsky.app/BUwWDT2 #EYFS
#eyoutdoors #playworkers #forestschool #childrennature
#outdoored #riskyplay #primaryoutdoors #KS1outdoors #KS2outdoors

16.11.2024 19:34 👍 109 🔁 35 💬 47 📌 5
Preview
The next 1000 days: building on early investments for the health and development of young children Following the first 1000 days of life that span from conception to two years of age, the next 1000 days of a child's life from 2–5 years of age offer a window of opportunity to promote nurturing and c...

“Following the first 1000 days… the next 1000 days of a child's life from 2–5… offer a window of opportunity to promote nurturing & caring environments, establish healthy behaviours, & build on early gains to sustain or improve trajectories of healthy development”

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

20.11.2024 09:09 👍 21 🔁 8 💬 0 📌 0
What is a Common Elements approach?
What is a Common Elements approach? YouTube video by Play in Education, Development and Learning

Evidence based programmes are great, but they don’t always replicate or scale effectively.

Alongside programmes, we need find other flexible and creative ways to scale evidence-based practice. Common elements approaches can help with this. This is a great short explainer.

youtu.be/oMOvKuSNPk0

28.11.2024 06:22 👍 15 🔁 7 💬 2 📌 0