As computers tablets and video games become increasingly popular, the average child spends approximately three to four hours each day being sedentary. These activities can be good fun and even educational but spending too much time sitting still each day can be bad for health.

Research has shown children who have a television or "small screen," such as a smartphone in their bedrooms, have later bedtimes and shorter sleep duration. Parents should be cautious about children's free access to screen-based media in their bedrooms.

It’s important to balance screen time with active play time so your child’s body can grow strong, fit and healthy!

Long sedentary times can:

• Harm your children’s posture;
• Deteriorate their eyesight;
• Disrupt their sleep;
• Impair their social skills;
• Pile up energy instead of employing it.

Although quiet time for reading and homework is fine, limit “screen time” (TV, video games, Internet) to no more than two hours a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend TV for kids of age 2 or younger.