Entry FeedOn the news today they are talking about the latest report card on how our kids are doing. The Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card looks not at the health of our children specifically, but how active our kids are across the country, in active play, organized sports, etc. It also looks at screen time.
It is recommended that kids get 90 minutes of activity every day. Currently 87% of Canadian kids are not getting that. The recommendation for screen time is not more than 2 hours per day; only 10% of youth are meeting that criteria.
I blame the parents.
JUST KIDDING!!! Actually, I sort of read this and think another survey that tells us how we are failing as parents. Gee - do they take into account ridiculously frigid winters or humid as hell summers and the difficulty that poses to getting outside? Or what about that it isn't safe (or maybe just not well thought of) to have kids running around their neighbourhoods for free-play. There are more cars on the road, fewer kids and fewer neighbours at home, plus an extraordinary emphasis on adult supervision.
Wow - 90 minutes every day is a bit of a shocker. I wonder how recess and school fits into that. I would guess that Son One gets close to that 90 minutes at school, between the three recesses and the mandatory activity every day. My kids also play outside year round, and are involved in many organized activities. But I feel bad for the busy and poorer parents who are doing their best, without a lot of help. $500 government tax credit for kids sports doesn't go far enough, and there is still getting them to and from activities.
Another measure on the report card is Active Transportation - or walking to school. In the city when you live blocks from your school, it sounds reasonable... unless you are like me and can barely get the kids out the door for a quick ride to school in the morning. I like to walk to get them, but they are usually so tired at the end of their days that they complain about walking all the way home (we are 1.7 km from school).
Take a look at the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card and let me know your thoughts.
One thing that really jumped out at me, that I would like to do something about, is lower income kids who don't get to participate in organized sports. I am going to put some thought into it and in the future maybe come up with a project.
It wouldn't hurt any of us to turn off the TV and get outside more... But this report card just seems like another pressure or blame to put on parents.
The article is usefull for me. I’ll be coming back to your blog.