Unplug + Play
Screen activities include watching television, computers and playing electronic games. Children need active play. So limit screen time to less than 2 hours each day, and make sure they have time to be active every day.
Introduction
It is important for children not to spend too long each day sitting watching the television, surfing the net or playing electronic games for entertainment. This is true for all children, even those who are physically active.
Screen-based activities often displace children from participating in active play. These sedentary activities can be associated with a number of different problems including:
- being overweight as a child and adult;
- poor fitness, smoking and raised cholesterol in adulthood;
- increased social problems;
- less time interacting with siblings or friends;
- less time in creative and active play; and
- increased aggressive behaviour.
For healthy growth and development, the Australian Physical Activity Recommendations suggest:
- children need at least 60 minutes (and up to several hours) of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day; and
- children should not spend more than two hours each day using electronic media for entertainment (e.g. television, computer games and the Internet) particularly during daylight hours when they could be playing outside.
Regular activity and play has many benefits for children. These include:
- building strong hearts, muscles and bones;
- developing movement and co-ordination;
- encouraging self-esteem;
- fostering social interaction skills;
- improving thinking skills; and
- developing emotional skills.
Ideas for classroom discussion and activities
1. Have students discuss the TV rules in their house.
Answers may include:
- only allowed to watch one show
- can only watch TV after bedroom is clean or when homework is complete
- no TV during meal times
- no TV in bedrooms.
2. Have students monitor the amount of television they watch for one week.
A television and computer tally chart can be found in the Unpug+Play brochure at the Unplug + Play website.
3. Place children into pairs and ask them to create their own active games as alternatives to watching television, playing electronic games or using the computer/Internet, particularly after school.
Get them to list:
- what the activity is
- where it could be done (i.e. driveway, park, family room, backyard)
- if it requires equipment (if so, what kind)
- what age the activity is suitable for
- does a parent need to be there to supervise
- what are some of the safety concerns
You could select some of the children to perform the activities in front of the class or put these activities into a book to be kept in the classroom for the children to access for ideas at home.
4. Ask students to complete a physical activity task at home with a family member each week.
For example: go for a walk, play a sport or complete an orienteering task with a family member or friend. You could also ask the child and the family member to write a short reflection on the activity.
5. Have an indoor games morning/afternoon (either in classroom or dance/gym area).
You could ask students to bring their favourite non-IT game. Items may include: pick-up sticks, elastics, hop scotch, jump rope (see www.heartfoundation.org.au/sites/jumpropeforheart for more information), or favourite board/card game.
6. Ask children to list ideas of what they would like to do instead of watching television, playing electronic games or using the computer/Internet.
You could then ask children to draw or paint their favourite activity.
Links to additional resources
