Mariana Brussoni
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mbrussoni.bsky.social
Mariana Brussoni
@mbrussoni.bsky.social
350 followers 200 following 19 posts
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
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
outsideplayubc.bsky.social
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
Call for conference presentations on outdoor play in early care and learning
April 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
outsideplayubc.bsky.social
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
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.
vancouversun.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
outsideplayubc.bsky.social
“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
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.
vancouversun.com
March 27, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
beamingsimon.bsky.social
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...
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 […]
outdoorlearning.com
April 1, 2025 at 1:18 PM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
Exciting to see politicians in The Netherlands ensuring all children can experience the benefits of #riskyplay!
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
Way to go Wichita for bringing #riskyplay into school playgrounds!
ourcommunitynow.com/P/some-wichi...
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.
ourcommunitynow.com
January 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
@outsideplayubc.bsky.social
January 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
picardonhealth.bsky.social
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
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.
www.nature.com
January 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
outsideplayubc.bsky.social
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/
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...
katherinemartinko.ca
January 6, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
outsideplayubc.bsky.social
"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...
Parents, It’s OK To Do Less
Why parenting less might be the best thing we can do for our children
www.afterbabel.com
January 6, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
brenttoderian.bsky.social
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
January 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
outsideplayubc.bsky.social
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:
mbrussoni.bsky.social Mariana Brussoni @mbrussoni.bsky.social · Jan 1
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-...
The Year The Phone-Based Childhood Began To Reverse
2024 in Review
substack.com
January 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
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-...
The Year The Phone-Based Childhood Began To Reverse
2024 in Review
substack.com
January 1, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
outsideplayubc.bsky.social
🎧 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...
December 2, 2024 at 7:04 PM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
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
December 2, 2024 at 3:46 AM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
brenttoderian.bsky.social
“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...
People riding in a bike-lane
December 2, 2024 at 3:24 AM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
brenttoderian.bsky.social
“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...
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.
www.fastcompany.com
December 1, 2024 at 3:26 AM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
We’ve really lost the plot as a society!
nataliabarbour.bsky.social Natalia Barbour @nataliabarbour.bsky.social · Nov 30
Our Facebook neighborhood page complains about children riding to school on sidewalks.

You would think the general promoted solution would be to advocate for more bike lanes.

But no, it’s for children to stop going to school by bike/e-scooters.
November 30, 2024 at 4:59 PM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
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
brenttoderian.bsky.social Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · Nov 30
“Believe it or not, electric bikes offer more exercise than pedal bikes on average. That fact might sound strange, but the science is clear.”

Why e-bikes actually give more exercise than “acoustic”bikes. (but both/either are excellent when it comes to better cities)
electrek.co/2024/02/20/w...
Why electric bikes actually give more exercise than pedal bikes
Believe it or not, electric bikes offer more exercise than pedal bikes on average. That fact might sound strange (and...
electrek.co
November 30, 2024 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
bobfromaccounts.bsky.social
Rule of thumb for future cycling infrastructure planners:

If children can't cycle on it safely, it's not fit for purpose.
Small child cycling confidently on a separated cycle lane
November 29, 2024 at 4:58 PM
mbrussoni.bsky.social
🌟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
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.
muskokawoods.com
November 29, 2024 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
creativestar.bsky.social
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
November 16, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
salhogg.bsky.social
“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...
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...
www.thelancet.com
November 20, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
salhogg.bsky.social
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
What is a Common Elements approach?
YouTube video by Play in Education, Development and Learning
youtu.be
November 28, 2024 at 6:22 AM
Reposted by Mariana Brussoni
brenttoderian.bsky.social
Hey, remember when car and oil companies successfully lobbied governments to create car dependent cities and suburbs, and once we became almost completely car dependent, WE became the loudest, angriest champions of unhindered road space for cars, unnaturally cheap gas, and subsidized free parking?
November 23, 2024 at 1:22 AM