The Pause to Play challenge encourages students and their families to put their television, video games and computers on pause for one full week. Participants are more likely to feel good about themselves when they get active, choose healthier foods more often and have fun with the whole family. There are many reasons to take the challenge and learn how much fun it can be to pause to play.
We need to get more active. According to Statistics Canada 2011:
- Only seven per cent of elementary school children get at least 60 minutes of heart pumping physical activity at least six days a week
- Boys and girls are not active over eight hours a day
- Improves air quality and the environment - less cars, less pollution
- Inactive lifestyles put children at risk for preventable health problems including Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease
Exercise that gets your heart pumping has many benefits to your health! Being active for at least 60 minutes daily can help children:
- Improve their health
- 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 have fun and get active! Put your TV's, videogames, computers, and tablets on
pause for one week. Instead, get active, choose healthier foods more often and have fun with your family away from the screens. Take the challenge for a week or more and learn how much fun it can be to
pause to PLAY! Many YRDSB schools are participating in the Pause to Play Challenge this year, why not take the pledge at home?
Start small and designate at least one hour a day and Pause to Play.
Give some of these ideas a try…. it’s worth it!
- At the beginning of the week schedule physical activity for each day
- Go for a neighbourhood walk after dinner
- Pause the technology (TV, computer, smart phone) during meals
- Prepare a meal with your family
- Get your bike and helmet ready for spring
- Go for a bike ride
- Go to the park
- Wear a pedometer and challenge family members to how many steps they can take in a day