Chapter 1: Participation in Community Leisure Programs: A Vehicle for Enhancing Physical Activity in Children with Developmental Difficulties

Participation in community-based leisure programs outside of home and school environments provides children with an opportunity to become involved in a regular organized form of physical activity. It also offers an important means of connecting with peers, developing physical and social skills, and enhancing self-confidence (Hood & Carruthers, 2013; Mota, Barros, Ribeiro, & Santos, 2013), which are key contributors to health, wellbeing and resilience. Children with developmental difficulties, however, do not participate in physically active leisure programs to the same extent as their peers (Arim, Findlay, & Kohen, 2012; Potvin, Snider, Prelock, Kehayia, & Wood-Dauphinee, 2013; Shikako-Thomas et al., 2013). A sedentary lifestyle and inactivity places these children at higher risk of obesity, decreased self-esteem, and social isolation (Murphy & Carbone, 2008). Exploring ways to support their participation in physically active leisure programs within the comunity setting could prove a valuable vehicle for enhancing their health and well-being. In this chapter, an overview of recent research and key theoretical frameworks within the field of child development and leisure participation will be presented. These will provide the basis for exploring the dimensions of leisure participation and informing practice with respect to how to effectively support children who are developmentally vulnerable and “at risk” of avoiding or disengaging from community leisure programs.