Switch off TV, connect with your children this Children's Day

This Children’s Day, 1 March, an Auckland Presbyterian Church is encouraging parents and caregivers to switch off all electronic gadgets and connect with their children.

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 don’t 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

Contact:

Jill Kayser

Presbyterian Church national Kids Friendly programme coach
Cell : 027-2103784
Email: kidsfriendlyjill(at)sthelierschurch.org.nz 

Angela Singer

Senior Communications Advisor
DDI: 04 381 8284
Cell: 027 455 0098
Email: angela(at)presbyterian.org.nz

Notes to reporter:

Kids Friendly is an initiative of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa that recognises the vital contribution children and families make to healthy congregations. Kids Friendly aims to equip churches to intentionally minister to children and families in their communities.  Kids Friendly offers advice, training, coaching and “best practice” resources to Presbyterian and Uniting churches.