The NWHU is challenging you to “Turn Off the Screens” next week (April 29-May 5).
The “Turn Off the Screens Challenge” encourages parents to try a different screen-free activity every day with their kids.
Families can track their participation using a log sheet that is available from the NWHU website.
If they return their log sheet to their local NWHU office by May 8, they have the chance to win some great prizes!
Print off or pick up our log sheet at your local NWHU office and join us in celebrating “Turn Off The Screens 2019” by trying some of these activities yourself or with your children:
- Put together a puzzle;
- Go for a walk;
- •nvolve your children in daily chores;
- Go swimming;
- Play a board game;
- Try a new recipe;
- Blow bubbles; and
- Make instruments and start a band
Our log sheet will ask you to check off all the activities you did for that day.
Did you know that children need at least two to three hours of stimulating play each day for their bodies to be healthy?
Stimulating play for children means moving and exploring with their bodies, learning and seeing new things.
Screen time recommendations for children:
- Under two years: screen time is not recommended.
- If introducing digital media (TV, tablets, games), use media together and choose interactive, non-violent and educational programs.
- Ages two-four: screen time should be limited to less than 1 hour per day.
- Ages five and up: no more than 2 hours per day of recreational (outside of schoolwork) screen time.
“It’s important parents help their kids thrive by spending quality time as a family, playing together, and cutting back on the use of phones, tablets, TVs and gaming systems,” said NWHU health promoter Elaine Fischer.
For more information and to print out a log sheet, please visit www.nwhu.on.ca or your local health unit office.
