Switch off TV, connect with your children this Children's Day
The St Heliers Presbyterian Church in Auckland is calling for a Sunday spent listening to and talking with children,
instead of a Sunday spent being distracted by e-gadgets.
Jill Kayser, national coach of Kids Friendly, a Presbyterian Church initiative and a member of St Heliers, says that
parents and caregivers are being encouraged to interact with their children this Sunday rather than allowing them to
zone out in front of TV, DVD players, computers, iPods, Xbox and Playstations.
Adults need to give up their e-gadgets too. Turn off the mobile phones and laptops. Switch off the devices that are
taking your time and attention away from an uninterrupted day with your children.
There are lots of recreational things to do together in or out of the home that dont require e-gadgets says Jill,
This Sunday there are over 300 events planned by churches, community centres and councils all over New Zealand.
And switching off devices will help more than family relationships says Jill; it will also teach children how something
as simple as pushing an off button can help the environment by reducing CO2 emissions.
ENDS