In an effort to get children to turn off their screens, the Skidegate Health Center is encouraging children to play in a rough and tumble manner with its new Jump and Run program.
With a grant from the Canada Post Foundation and other funds from the health centre has the program has brought in two large bouncy houses. The program is offered every other Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Jump and Run program is open to all families on Haida Gwaii.
Children must be supervised by their parent or caregiver for insurance purposes.
Jump and Run is aimed at challenging children’s sensory and motor systems to develop core strength and muscle coordination, which is important for children for reading and writing as they enter school. The program also promotes self-regulating and socialization by requiring that children wait their turn, play cooperatively with other children and engage in new challenging activities.
The organizers are working hard to make this program cellphone-free and encourage sparents to leave their phones in their pockets or cars.
“Jump and Run disconnects children and parents from unhealthy use of technologies,” programme organizer Mary Kellie said.
The program even includes students from Queen Charlotte Secondary School who get school credits for community volunteer hours.
The Jump and Run program is held at the George Brown Hall in Skidegate. The next event will take place Friday, Dec. 11