Zone’in Workshops

Media Press Release – November 23, 2008 – Vancouver BC

The 21st century has witnessed a rapid increase in TV, videogame, iPod, internet use and cell phone use in young children. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’ve subsequently observed that critical milestones for child motor and sensory development are not being met, negatively impacting on child academic performance and achievement of literacy. Simultaneously there is an increasing incidence of childhood physical, psychological and behavior disorders, often accompanied by the prescription of psychotropic medication. Are these two trends related? While research is sorely lacking in this area, parents, teachers and family physicians should start tracking family technology usage patterns, and begin technology reduction programs. A family, medical system and school initiative would be to have families of children with behavior problems undergo an “unplug” from technology trial prior to costly diagnosis and prescription of untested psychotropic medication. A family unplug trial could be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with each other through use of board games, cards, cooking nights, art and crafts. Families can make this unplug trial fun and easy by using the new Unplug’in game! Trapped in a TV, Unplug’in players travel through four dimensions of Me, We, Earth and Spirit gaining points and skill necessary to successfully unplug from technology. Disconnect to reconnect with the new and revolutionary Unplug’in game!

Cris Rowan, BScOT, BScBi, SIPT, Approved Provider AOTA and CAOT
CEO Zone’in Programs Inc.
6840 Seaview Rd.
Sechelt, BC V0N3A4
604-885-0986 office, 604-885-0389 fax, 604-740-2264 cell
email crowan@zonein.ca
website www.zonein.ca

Biography

Cris Rowan…
committed to easing the job of learning for children is a well-known pediatric occupational therapist, speaker and author to parents, health and education professionals throughout North America. Cris is an expert in the field of sensory integration, learning, attention, fine motor skills and the impact of TV and videogames on child development. Cris has a BSc’s both in Occupational Therapy and in Biology and is a SIPT certified pediatric sensory specialist. Over the past decade, Cris has provided over 200 keynotes and workshops, published the monthly Development Series Newsletter, created the Zone’in, Move’in and Unplug’in educational programs for schools and homes, and started Zone’in Training programs for registered occupational therapists. Cris is author of the Unplug – Don’t Drug policy initiative for Canadian physicians, health and education government, and is in the process of completing her book A Cracked Foundation: Reversing the Effects of Technology on Child Development.