Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was the case for a friend, whose mother hauled the appliance right out of the house at the start of every summer. Surprisingly, Ola and her siblings didn't miss it, as they managed to keep themselves busy in other ways. And, today, Ola is glad her mother maintained that annual tradition, as she learned not to rely on TV to keep her entertained. She and her two young daughters also tend to be more physically active than other families she knows ? something she attributes directly to the amount of active play she engaged in as a child.
Could today's families survive as well without the "tube?" And, if forced to go without (say, during TV-Turnoff Week: this year April 25 - May 1), would they be physically active or simply resort to another form of electronic entertainment?
Unfortunately, children today spend the better part of their waking lives watching television. It's been estimated that between the ages of two and seventeen American children spend an average of three years of their waking lives watching TV ? and that doesn't even include time spent watching videos, playing video games, or using the computer. That's the equivalent of more than fifteen thousand hours in front of the set (about a thousand hours a year) ? as compared with twelve thousand hours spent in a classroom. The end result? A total of twenty-seven thousand hours ? more than six years of their young lives ? without a whole heck of a lot of movement.
Why be concerned? The number-one reason is that too much television results in an unfit individual ? adult or child. In 1998 researchers at San Diego State University found that both parents' and children's performance levels on a simple test of aerobic fitness (one-mile walk/run) decreased as their viewing increased. The fact is, children who watch several hours of television every day have lower fitness levels than those who watch fewer than two hours.
Worse still, as the hours spent watching TV increase, so does the likelihood of obesity among children and adolescents. Researchers are discovering that the percentage of body fat increases along with the number of hours spent in front of the tube ? and that obesity is lower among children who watch television for one hour or less a day. The risk actually increases almost two percent for each additional hour watched!
Of course, even children who aren't overweight or obese can still be unfit if they participate in too little vigorous physical activity. Whether it's evident on the outside or not, when the time comes for them to exert physical energy, they'll likely find their muscles, heart, and lungs aren't up to the challenge.
Once upon a time, children ran and skipped, climbed trees, jumped rope, played hopscotch, and rode their bicycles for blocks. Most likely you remember some of that yourself. Before you were old enough for school, it seems you were never indoors. You and the neighborhood children ran screaming through each other's yards and even down the middle of the streets. You raced each other to the slide and the swings, chased butterflies, and got grass-stained practicing your tumbling skills on the lawn.
Once you were in school all day, the instant the bell sounded, you ran all the way home, shed your good clothes, and were out the door again. You played touch football, hide-and-seek, and tag. And you stayed outside until forced to come in. It's no wonder no one ever worried about your getting enough exercise!
But does all that activity bring to mind what your own children are doing? Probably not. Today, because children's days are nearly as scheduled as adults' ? and they are driven, rather than walk, everywhere ? we need to "program" movement into our daily lives.
That doesn't have to be as challenging as it may sound. It can be as simple as putting on some music and holding a dance party in the living room. Make a game of Statues out of it by inviting your children to move in any way they want while the music is playing and to freeze into statues when you pause it. Play Follow the Leader, or break out the pots and pans and hold a parade around the house. Play a rousing game of Twister or simply go for an after-dinner stroll.
Once you've turned off the TV, you'll be amazed at the amount of time you have together and the creative ways you'll find to spend that time. Remember, though, that the most important thing you can do is to serve as a role model. Research has shown that parents' inactivity may exert more influence on their children's behavior than being active does. So, if your children see you sitting in front of the TV during all your free time ? if they never see you exercising or enjoying yourself as you do something physical ? your actions (in this case inactions) will speak volumes. They'll simply follow suit. Even if you tell them how important it is to be physically active, they'll have no reason to believe you. So turn off the TV and turn on to physical activity! Both you and your children will be glad you did.
Rae Pica is a children's physical activity specialist and the author of Your Active Child: How to Boost Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Development through Age-Appropriate Activity (McGraw-Hill, 2003). Visit Rae at http://www.movingandlearning.com
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
There is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
There are several treatment options available to help improve the... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
1. Boundaries are necessary for control and safety.All children need... Read More
One of the biggest milestones in our children's education is... Read More
For the first year or two of life outside the... Read More
Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More
It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
I know as a single parent or even with 2... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More
Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
The 21st Century Problem in Schools: Bullying, and How to... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
One of the most difficult struggles in life for a... Read More
Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More
I had my first two children on either side of... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls... Read More
Family meetings provide opportunities for feelings to be aired and... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
Imagine a child who lacks ownership of his own life,... Read More
Do you feel like someone has abducted your sweet, innocent... Read More
"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
As I sit here and reflect on the past two... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
Many young people don't know how to study efficiently and... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending... Read More
Parenting |