Parents 'should draw up a schedule for outdoor play activities'
17/08/2010 Parents and carers must make the effort to cut the amount of time kids spend in front of the screen and encourage outdoor play activities, one expert has suggested.
Amy Schofield, editor of education and parenting website mychild.co.uk, said that kids are given many reasons to stay in the house nowadays and virtual relationships are replacing real face-to-face interactions with friends.
A recent survey conducted by the TV channel Eden found that almost three-quarters of children spend more time in front of the TV than they do outdoors and 36 per cent take part in outdoor play activities once a week or less.
She suggested that parents should draw up a schedule for computer games and TV time which ensures that outdoor play activities "have dominance".
Adults should also make the effort to "lead by example" and make outdoor play activities an opportunity for the family to exercise together.
"Your kids won't be inspired to get outside if you spend most of your own time in front of a screen or sitting on the sofa - get out and about with them," she suggested.
Amy Schofield, editor of education and parenting website mychild.co.uk, said that kids are given many reasons to stay in the house nowadays and virtual relationships are replacing real face-to-face interactions with friends.
A recent survey conducted by the TV channel Eden found that almost three-quarters of children spend more time in front of the TV than they do outdoors and 36 per cent take part in outdoor play activities once a week or less.
She suggested that parents should draw up a schedule for computer games and TV time which ensures that outdoor play activities "have dominance".
Adults should also make the effort to "lead by example" and make outdoor play activities an opportunity for the family to exercise together.
"Your kids won't be inspired to get outside if you spend most of your own time in front of a screen or sitting on the sofa - get out and about with them," she suggested.
