Limit Kids' Sitting Time To 2 Hours: Guidelines
Canadian children and teens should spend no more than two hours a daysitting — including while watching TV or playing video games — outside of school time, new exercise guidelines say.
Families could limit after school television, sedentary video gaming, texting and screen time and replace it with planned activities like building a snowman. (iStock) The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology followed up on the physical activity guidelines it issued in January, issuing sedentary activity guidelines on Tuesday. It says mounting evidence supports the need to limit sedentary behaviour as a health issue distinct from getting people to move more. Read more: LimitkidsCBC News.pdf |
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WHAT DO YOU MEAN SCREEN TIME?
It is currently said that our children are exposed to 8 hours of Media per day. That is a lot of time that someone else is teaching your children. One of the most important skills you can teach your children is how to balance their screen time, laptops, iPods, iPads, cells, DS, TV, anything with a screen. Have young children figure out their 45 minutes of screen time. As they get older and bedtimes are later, extend their screen times. It is very important that “screens” do not go in the bedroom. Statics demonstrate that children & teens will participate in “risky” behaviours when left alone with their screen in a bedroom.
WHAT ARE ERGONOMIC CONCERNS WHEN USING A COMPUTER?
More and more people are developing physical ailments as a result of sitting in front of a computer. CTD Resources Network recommends parents to be aware of the following when using a computer.
• Your belly button should be in line with the keyboard. This provides a natural position for your arms, preventing stress on your shoulders, back and arms. Pillows or phone books can be used to elevate smaller children
• Lean back in your chair. Don’t slouch or rest on your elbows; your back will thank you
• You should look straight at the monitor, not up or down. Remember, where the eyes go, the body follows. If you have to look to the side, up or down, then you are putting excess stress on your head and neck
• Your fingers have a natural curve, like a rainbow. Allow your fingers to keep their curve as you type; don’t stretch or flatten them
• When using the mouse try to keep your wrists straight and level while moving the mouse around. Wrist rests can be helpful to avoid strain
• Windows and indoor lights can make it harder to see computer monitors. To prevent eye strain there should be about the same amount of light coming from the screen and the area you can see around your computer monitor
• Get up and move around or stretch for a few
It is currently said that our children are exposed to 8 hours of Media per day. That is a lot of time that someone else is teaching your children. One of the most important skills you can teach your children is how to balance their screen time, laptops, iPods, iPads, cells, DS, TV, anything with a screen. Have young children figure out their 45 minutes of screen time. As they get older and bedtimes are later, extend their screen times. It is very important that “screens” do not go in the bedroom. Statics demonstrate that children & teens will participate in “risky” behaviours when left alone with their screen in a bedroom.
WHAT ARE ERGONOMIC CONCERNS WHEN USING A COMPUTER?
More and more people are developing physical ailments as a result of sitting in front of a computer. CTD Resources Network recommends parents to be aware of the following when using a computer.
• Your belly button should be in line with the keyboard. This provides a natural position for your arms, preventing stress on your shoulders, back and arms. Pillows or phone books can be used to elevate smaller children
• Lean back in your chair. Don’t slouch or rest on your elbows; your back will thank you
• You should look straight at the monitor, not up or down. Remember, where the eyes go, the body follows. If you have to look to the side, up or down, then you are putting excess stress on your head and neck
• Your fingers have a natural curve, like a rainbow. Allow your fingers to keep their curve as you type; don’t stretch or flatten them
• When using the mouse try to keep your wrists straight and level while moving the mouse around. Wrist rests can be helpful to avoid strain
• Windows and indoor lights can make it harder to see computer monitors. To prevent eye strain there should be about the same amount of light coming from the screen and the area you can see around your computer monitor
• Get up and move around or stretch for a few