Simply Child’s Play

You know there is a movement afoot when McDonald’s is selling sliced apples in a bag.

Yes, the fast food chains are starting to take some responsibility for the state of the nation when it comes to children’s health—but it’s not all their fault.

Silken Laumann, one of Canada’s greatest sports heroes and a role model for healthy active living, has released a book called Child’s Play, which reaches out to parents for accountability when it comes to children’s health. 

Child’s Play is a call to action for parents, a guide to reconnecting with our kids, and a blueprint for building safe, supportive communities and healthy schools. The facts on childhood obesity, depression and inactivity are staggering. Silken comes right out and points to the parents: “Our kids are unwell and we need to find the strength and energy to take action….  We must do better on behalf of our kids; we can make their world a healthier, better place.” The solution, she says, is as simple as ‘child’s play’.

Here are a few of Silken’s suggestions that struck a cord with SavvyMom.

• Encourage your children to get outside, move and have fun. We mean the pure unadulterated, unstructured play for the fun of it (like we used to).
• Be aware of how much time they are spending in front of screens. One third of Canadian kids watch over 4 hours of TV each weeknight while computers and video games also compete for our kids’ time.
• Give yourself permission to do less so you can do more. Unschedule some of your “structured activities” to simply play with your children.
• Reach out to your communities to join you in your efforts. Ask friends and neighbours to help with street hockey games or capture the flag. Parents can take turns watching the kids outside so everyone feels safer.
• Buy the book Child’s Play for a whole chapter on the fun games we played as kids. Remember Kick the Can, Blind Man’s Bluff, Freeze Tag and Hopscotch? Your kids will love them as much as you did.

Child’s Play is a compelling must-read for any parent.

So find your inner child and get outside. It’s our responsibility, after all.

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