From Apr. 17 to 23, Saskatchewan in motion is encouraging families to take part in Turn Off TV Week. Families are being encouraged "to reduce their screen time and replace it with at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day" stated in motion consultant Graham Richardson.
"Research indicates that young people are spending six hours each weekday in front of a screen and 7 hours a day on the weekend. Our children are watching television as early as five months. It's time to unplug our kids and replace their screen time with physical activity."
Saskatchewan in motion deems screen time as going beyond time spent in front of the television. They include time spent texting on a cell phone, playing video games, time spent on the computer and time spent playing games on a hand-held device.
For one week in Saskatchewan, the organization is challenging families to make a commitment to increase their physical activity. This can be done by walking to school or work, playing tag in the backyard, going for a bike ride or practicing your ball skills by getting out and playing a game of catch.
In 2010, Carlyle became an "in motion" community. An "in motion" community is one that is committed to working together to increase physical activity opportunities for all individuals to participate in. It is a community that values physical activity and works together to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to ensure that physical activity is part of the daily lives of community members.
For more information on the Turn Off TV Week challenge and how to get involved, visit www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca/challenges. Here, you can register and enter your name for the grand prize, a geo-caching package which includes a how-to book and GPS unit.
