NWHU challenges you to “Turn Off the Screens”

Northwestern Health Unit - Special to The Bulletin

The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is challenging families to Turn Off the Screens from April 29th to May 5th, 2019.
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 8th, they have the chance to win some great prizes!
Kids need at least 2-3 hours every day of stimulating interactive play. Play supports their growth and development by keeping their minds and bodies healthy. For kids, less screen time is best! For young kids under 2, screen time is not recommended. For those 2-4 years, screen time should be limited to 1 hour each day. For kids 5 and up, screen time that is not related to school work should be limited to 2 hours each day.
One in every eleven kids between the ages of 8 to 18 is addicted to technology. Elaine Fischer, a NWHU health promoter says “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.”
For more information and to print out a log sheet, please visit www.nwhu.on.ca or your local health unit office.