York Region’s Pause to Play challenge is back

York Region Public Health is ready to help children get off their screens and outside to play, with the return of the annual Pause to Play Challenge.

The 2023 Pause to Play Challenge runs from April 24 to 28 and is offered to all York Region elementary schools. Students and their families are encouraged to step away from screens for one week and engage in physical activities and behaviours that can promote long-term, healthy habits.

The 2022 ParticipACTION Report Card for Children and Youth gave sedentary behaviour a grade of “F”. A staggering 84% of children aged five to 11 and 94% of youth aged 12 to 17 are not meeting the two hours or less of recreational screen time per day, as recommended by the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth report. This is a decrease from the 2020 Report Card’s evaluation of D+.

Increasing physical activity and maintaining a balanced approach to screen time benefits our children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It has also been shown to improve concentration and children’s ability to learn.

Are you ready for the challenge? 

Administrators and/or teachers can register their schools or classrooms for the challenge. Schools that register will have an opportunity to WIN amazing prizes for their classes, via random draw.

Registration will open on April 3, 2023.

For more information about Mindful Screen Time resources or to register for the 2023 Pause to Play Challenge, visit york.ca/healthyschools