EVEN SCIENCE BACKS OUTDOOR PLAY

All work and no play doesn’t just make Jack a dull boy — it also puts him at risk for mental health problems.

The Power of Play, a new documentary for CBC’s The Nature of Things airing Jan. 20, explores the science behind play and explains how researchers are linking a lack of free playtime to issues such as depression and anxiety. The film posits that all animals and humans need play to survive, and it’s particularly important for kids who are spending more time indoors focused on screens.

“This show is full of surprising animal antics,” says director Christine McLean. “But there is a serious message in this documentary about the shocking toll the loss of free outdoor play is taking on our kids. Science now has proof that shooing children outside is one of the best things we can do for them.”