Zone’in Workshops

The advent of technology has caused profound changes in children’s development and their ability to learn. By allowing television and videogames (TVVG) to replace active play, parents are detrimentally effecting children’s mental and physical development. Delays in children’s printing, reading and ability to pay attention are increasing at alarming rates. Attachment and developmental disorders seem to be today’s norm. As children spend more and more time connecting with technology, relationships are disconnecting, at a very rapid pace.

The American Academy of Pediatrics report North American children watch on average 6.5 hours of TVVG per day, with causal links to ADHD, poor academics, obesity, accelerated sexuality, poor sleep and family conflict, with subsequent recommendations children not spend more than an hour per day “plugged in”. Dr. Dimitri Christakis with University of Washington reports that the average TVVG consumption for children aged 0-2 years is 2.2 hours per day, and goes on to report that for every hour of TVVG watched per day, a child’s chance of attention difficulties increases by 10% by the age of seven. Dr. Susan R. Johnson, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at University of Southern California, describes how children’s brain size has been shown to decrease 20-30% if a child is not touched, played with or talked to.” Statistics Canada reports parents spend on average 3.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with their children. By the time children graduate from high school, they will have spent more time in front of a TV than at school.

Cris Rowan, a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sensory Specialist with Zone’in Programs www.zonein.ca describes that normal a child needs adequate stimulation to their vestibular (balance), tactile (touch) and proprioceptive (muscle) sensory systems for normal neurological development. Rowan states “If children don’t get enough swinging, running, and jumping, by climbing trees, riding bikes and outdoor play, they will have difficulty with muscle coordination, postural tone and attaining optimal arousal states.” Rowan suggests parents educate their children regarding the harmful effects of TVVG use, and then assist their children to balance TVVG use with movement. For example, allow one hour of “box time” for one hour of hard physical work (bike up hill, haul wood, dig in garden). Encourage daily hugs, playful wrestling, nature games, and no TVVG in bedrooms or during dinner! Schools could increase physical work with desk isometrics (hand or chair push), or during recess and gym activities (tug of war, climbing ropes).