Pause to Play!

Twenty-three schools across the Hastings and Prince Edward County will be taking part in the Pause to Play event.

The event, which will be taking place March 30 to April 3, is aimed to get children to turn off screens, include TV, computer and video console screens.

“What we’re trying to do with the challenge is to get schools, students and families all pause the screens next week and get out and be active,” says Jennifer Ronan, public health nurse with the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit.

The goal is to have not only children, but adults as well, watch less then two hours of ‘screen time’ a day.

According to the media release, 90 per cent of children are not meeting Canada’s physical activity guidelines.

"Adults in our area also spend too much time sitting," says Ronan, "In our area, 44 per cent of adults reported that they are frequent television viewers, watching more than fifteen hours each week. That is 15 per cent higher than the Ontario average. Parents and other adults are important role models for children. When kids see adults make healthy choices, it helps them learn how to do the same.”

The event was formally, known as the TV Turnoff Challenge, has changed since last year. In the previous years, the event involved children watching absolutely no TV.

“Feedback suggested that although students tried it, five days without a screen was a little bit much, they found it hard. And there was also some research that showed the week after the challenge a lot of the kids ended up watching more TV. We decided that we needed to change it a little bit. We had more schools participate last year but the rates of return weren’t as great as we had hoped,” explains Ronan.


Rick Miller, a bus driver for Handley Buses, has a 9 year-old boy who attends Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School.

“On one hand, the event is a really good idea. But on the other hand, it seems like they are trying to control us. It’s like they’re telling us what we can and cannot do.”

According to the media release, the Pause to Play challenge is meant to raise awareness of the Canadian Paediatric Society recommendation that school-aged children spend less then two hours in front of a screen. It also encourages healthy living.

The Pause to Play event also has active events put in place for the event. There in a free public skate at the Dick Ellis Area on April 1 from 6-8p.m. There is also a Pause to Play challenge special from Quinte Bowl. They are offering free bowling; for every one adult bowl purchased, one child can bowl for free.

In the Stirling area, the Trent Valley Karate club is offering one free class of Karate, Jiu Jitsu or self defense on April 2.

For more events happening during the week, visit the What’s On calendar at the www.hpechu.on.ca website.


“I really think if the message gets out to parents and families that two hours or less is attainable, they can think, “you know what, I think we should do that.” I really hope that we will have a really successful challenge,” hopes Ronan.