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Turn off the TV and Tune into Life
Families who turned off the TV and participated in fun family activities last April will be happy to learn that Turn Off the TV Week will be recognized locally again this year, with just as many alternative activities planned, announced Family Resource Director Tonya Millard.
Turn Off the TV week, recognized April 23-27, is an opportunity for families to reclaim their free time and participate in community activities that promote family togetherness. Family Resource Center, C.A.R.E., University of Wisconsin - Extension, Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, Crawford County Public Health, and other organizations have begun planning for this special event.
"By taking a solid, one-week break from TV, local children and adults can evaluate the excessive role television plays in their lives and reclaim time to pursue activities that foster greater social, physical, academic and creative development," Millard said.
Turn Off the TV Week is about taking a healthy break from TV to focus on activities that are more academically, socially, and physically rewarding. It is also about having more fun. More than 24 million people participate nationwide.
“I often hear families complain about not having enough time to connect to each other, enjoy family activities, or even complete homework routines,” said Mary Sprosty, C.A.R.E. Prevention Specialist with Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. “Parents who wish they could just add one more hour to their day will find that turning off the television can sometimes do just that.”
According to the Turnoff the TV Network, the average American child watches 20 hours of television per week. This includes TV and VCR time, but not computer or video game time. “Imagine what your family could do with an extra 20 hours per week,” Sprosty said.
Millard said the problem with asking families to turn off their television, is they often don't know what to do instead. "That's why area organizations and businesses have been asked to host some type of alternative activity," she said.
A calendar has been compiled with all of all the local activities for families to choose from during this designated week. The calendar will be sent homes through elementary schools, advertised in local newspapers, and listed on the community calendar.
The activities are designed to connect families with local programs and hobbies they can enjoy year-round as an alternative to television.
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