Associations between early childhood experiences in outdoor play, risky play and screen time, and children's…

Cohort studyEarly human development· Jul 2026

Associations between early childhood experiences in outdoor play, risky play and screen time, and children's developmental health outcomes in kindergarten in British Columbia.

Rachel Ramsden, Randip Gill, Mariana Brussoni

Child Development & BehaviourCohort studyClinical practiceQ1IF 2.1

More early screen time is associated with higher odds of developmental vulnerability in kindergarten.

Associations between early childhood experiences in outdoor play, risky play and screen time, and children's developmental health outcomes in kindergarten in British Columbia.

Rachel Ramsden … Mariana Brussoni

Early human development · Jul 2026 · Q1 in Pediatrics

Background

Early exposures are increasingly recognized as influential in shaping children's long-term development.

Purpose

This study examines how children's early screen time, outdoor play, and risky play experiences relate to developmental vulnerability in kindergarten.

Methods

This longitudinal study linked data from children (n = 4968; 51.1% male, 48.9% female) entering kindergarten in British Columbia in 2023 and 2024.

n = 4968

Results

more early screen time meant 38% higher odds of developmental vulnerability in kindergarten

AOR by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

In total, 32.9% (n = 1635) of children were vulnerable on one or more domains of the Early Development Instrument.

“

Conclusion

Collectively, these longitudinal results highlight the need to limit screen time and provide thrilling outdoor risky play opportunities in the early years to help reduce developmental vulnerability in kindergarten.

Associations between early childhood experiences in outdoor play, risky play and screen time, and children's developmental health outcomes in kindergarten in British Columbia.

Associations between early childhood experiences in outdoor play, risky play and screen time, and children's developmental health outcomes in kindergarten in British Columbia.

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