What is Screen Time?
Screen time is any time spent using an electronic device with a screen. This includes computer time, television time, video game time, and cell phone time. These are all things we do sitting down or without much movement.
Why should we turn off the screens?
Too much screen time takes away from the “Action” side of living your life. It also means more time watching commercials that try to sell you unhealthy foods. Some people actually eat more when they are watching TV because they do not pay attention to what they are eating. Learn to listen to your body ….. eat slower and remember to chew your food. Let your body talk to you and tell you when you are full. Moderation and Choices … all become a vital part of living a Healthy Lifestyle!
Parenting TV Tips:
Set rules about screen time. If a parent sets rules to limit screen time and enforces them, a child’s daily screen time can decrease by 2 hours a day. Other tips:
• Turn off the television when no one is watching it.
• Turn off the television during meals and take the television out of eating areas if you can.
• No television in children’s bedrooms.
• No television until homework is done.
How much screen time is okay for your children?
Under 3 years old, No TV. Over 3 years old, Less than 2 hours a Day
Things to do when the Screens are Off
•Play a game you learned as a child – Flip2BFIt and Bakari make great games to play for the entire family! The fitness fun board games for Kids and their families!
• Walk in the park or around the block!
•Enjoy some music and dance dance dance
• Play baseball, softball, Hop Scotch, catch in the backyard, or Skip!
• Jumprope and hula hoop
• Practice a hobby like playing an instrument, drawing, or writing.
• Read a book. Visit your local library!
The “Vive tu Vida/Live your Life” campaign is sponsored by CHALK (Choosing Healthy & Active Lifestyles for Kids), a NYS Department of Health funded program at NewYork?Presbyterian Hospital Ambulatory Care Network/Columbia University Medical Center Community Pediatrics. Visit us at www.chalkcenter.org