A media plan can help you set limits for your children’s screen time and keep you accountable for modeling appropriate screen-time behaviors. It may be helpful to consider developing a family media plan for all family members to follow. Additionally, parents should consider designating certain times of the day as screen-free, such as during meals, or having screen-free rooms, such as bedrooms. As a parent, you should be co-viewing media with your children to ensure they are viewing high-quality programs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 18 months avoid the use of screens other than video-chatting, children 2-5 years old should limit their screen time to 1 hour or less a day, and children 6 years or older should have consistent limits on their use of screens. If you said yes, you are not different than most parents! Screen time isn’t bad, but too much screen time is not good. For more information about kids’ physical activity or tips for becoming a more active family, check out the links below! These organizations have information about local hiking and walking trails to encourage your child to be more active and introduce new skills that will last a lifetime! Family activities, such as going for a walk, riding bikes, or going to a local indoor pool are fun and good ways to increase physical activity and spend more time together as a family. A can of soda contains an average of 150 calories. Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is linked with obesity and dental cavities. If you are uncertain, or think your child may not be active enough, check out your local YMCA or other organizations, like the American Youth Soccer Association, the local Boys & Girls Clubs of America, or your local parks and recreation departments. Park your car on the far end of the parking lot, take the stairs, or play tag on the beach with the kids. Go outside! Kids who spend more time outside are more active! Plan time each day to be active. In addition to the daily activity children and adolescents should be getting, they should do muscle-strengthening activities 3 days a week, and should include activities that are bone-strengthening. For children and adolescents who are 6 to 17 years old, the United States Department of Health & Human Services recommends that they engage in 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activities. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommends that children 3-5 years old should do structured physical activities for at least 60 minutes a day and at least 60 minutes, but up to several hours a day, of unstructured physical activities.

5210 healthy habits