Physical activity is important for ALL of us. We know this, yet devices are part of our lives now – there’s just no getting away from that fact.
“Physical activity in children under 5 years of age is favourably associated with health indicators such as adiposity, bone and skeletal health, cardiometabolic health, cognitive and motor skills development. It is increasingly recognized that too much sedentary time can have detrimental effects on health and there are recommendations to limit the exposure to screens in young children in a number of countries (Australia, Canada, United States of America, New Zealand).” – WHO guidelines.
In fact, according to WHO, failure to meet current physical activity guidelines is responsible for more than 5 million deaths around the world each year across all age groups. About one-quarter of adults and 80% of adolescents do not get sufficient physical activity. So, it’s important to really bring back playtime for our youngest ones – it’s the best thing for their health and wellbeing. And for us adults to get moving too.
What are your thoughts? Do you follow these guidelines, or are you less strict around screens? We need to be realistic about the world we are living in these days. It also depends on the quality of what’s on the screen. If you do allow screens in your home, do you balance it out with plenty of activity and engagement? Do you use screen time as an opportunity for education as well as entertainment? Sometimes you really do need to occupy your child so you can get on with something – which is why screen time is so handy. It just matters how you use it.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Hannah Schenker is a freelance writer, editor and regular contributor to The Natural Parent Magazine. She lives with a touch of magic in Golden Bay, New Zealand.
