This year National TV-Turnoff Week is April 21st-27th, and the University of California  Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and its partners are encouraging you and your family to turn off the TV for part of the week.  By participating, you and your family may adopt healthy habits such as exercising more, reading more and enjoying more time together as a family.  

• On average, children in the US will spend more time in front of the TV (1,023 hours) than in school this year (900 hours).
• 40% of Americans frequently or always watch television during dinner.
• The proportion of overweight children has doubled since 1978 due, in part, to sedentary activities such as television viewing.

UCCE aims to educate families on the powerful influences TV has on young children and to promote positive TV free activities.  Follow the links below to learn more about smarter TV viewing,  alternative family activities and much more.

• Seven Nights of Family Fun Activity Booklet                                                                       
• Healthy TV Viewing Tips, What Parents can Do                                      
• Take Action                                             
• Parent Newsletter Subscription                                               
• Latest News: TV Facts and Figures
• Childhood Professionals
• Resources

2008 Turn Off the TV News Releases

• Study Supports Limiting Television Time for Children
• Warning: Too Much TV May be Hazardous to Your Health!
• But Mom . . . Why Can't I watch TV or Play My Video Game?
• Stop! Don't Touch that Remote!

Links:

• Ready to Succeed
• Nutrition, Family and Consumer Science 

As you know, television remains one of the most powerful influences in modern society.  Unfortunately, excessive television and other screen watching behaviors can undermine family time, harm reading and academic performance, encourage violence and promote sedentary lifestyles and obesity.