Put down those screens and get active – it’s time to pause to PLAY!
Running from April 24 to April 28, the annual pause to PLAY challenge encourages students to put their TV’s, gaming devices, tablets and computers on pause for one full week and become more physically active through play. In partnership with York Region Public Health, many YRDSB classrooms will be participating this year, and you can also participate with your kids at home!
The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that Canadian children aged 5–17 accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity each day. The Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines state that those same children should spend no more than two hours of screen time per day. According to the recent ParticipACTION report (2016):
- Only 9 per cent of Canadian kids aged 5–17 meet the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines
- Only 24 per cent of 5–17 year olds in Canada meet this Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines
- The average 5–17 year old Canadian spends 8.5 hours being sedentary each day
Exercise that gets your heart rate up has many health benefits. Being active for at least 60 minutes daily can help children:
- Improve their health and do better in school, improve their fitness, grow stronger and maintain a healthy body weight
- Have fun playing with friends and feel happier Learn new skills and improve their self-confidence
Get ready to put down your TVs, video games, computers, tablets, and turn off your screens to pause for one week. Spend your time outside, get active and PLAY!!
Participate in pause to PLAY at home:
In addition to pause to PLAY activities during school hours, parents, guardians and caregivers are encouraged to have their children participate in the challenge before and after school:
- Teachers of participating classrooms will send parents a daily e-bulletin during the pause to PLAY challenge week with info and tips to reduce your child’s screen time and increase active play
- Each child will get a pause to PLAY log sheet to track… Review your child’s daily log sheet to see how much physical activity (and screen time) they’re getting
- Have your child participate in daily active outdoor play
- Check out your local community calendar and visit your local community centres and participate in some fun, family-friendly events
- Make active time family time – have fun together and pause to PLAY all year long!
For more information:
For more information on pause to PLAY, please email York Region Public Health School Services at:
schoolservices@york.ca