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Screen Time and Play: Navigating Kids' Activity in the Pandemic Era

Screen Time and Play: Navigating Kids\' Activity in the Pandemic Era

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Children's Physical Activity and Screen Time

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted children's daily routines, particularly affecting their physical activity and screen time. A recent longitudinal study titled "Parents’ Report of Canadian Elementary School Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic" sheds light on these changes and offers insights for practitioners aiming to improve children's health outcomes.

Key Findings from the Study

The study observed a notable decline in physical activity and an increase in screen time among Canadian children aged 10-12 during the pandemic. This change was attributed to the closure of recreational facilities and restrictions on social interactions. The data, collected from parents before and during the pandemic, revealed:

Implications for Practitioners

For speech-language pathologists and other child health practitioners, these findings underscore the importance of integrating physical activity into therapeutic practices. Encouraging parents to facilitate outdoor play and reduce screen time can be crucial. Here are some actionable steps:

Encouraging Further Research

While this study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore the long-term impacts of the pandemic on children's health behaviors. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this body of research by conducting studies within their communities and sharing findings with the broader health community.

To delve deeper into the research, you can access the original study here: Parents’ Report of Canadian Elementary School Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study.


Citation: Ostermeier, E., Tucker, P., Clark, A., Seabrook, J. A., & Gilliland, J. (2021). Parents’ report of Canadian elementary school children’s physical activity and screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12352. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312352
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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