A lot of parents feel the need to make more quality time with family to combat the isolation that stems from the overuse of electronic devices, it emerged from workshops conducted by Ċaqlaq.
Ċaqlaq is a health awareness initiative funded by Fundación Mapfre, which is now about to enter its third year of campaigning.
The campaign works with primary schoolchildren and their families to improve their health and fitness awareness amid an ever- growing prevalence of overweight, obesity and child diabetes in Malta.
Campaign works with primary schoolchildren and their families to improve their health and fitness
Ċaqlaq hosted workshops with parents from 25 State and Church schools to engage them in health and fitness activities. They were asked to identify pertinent issues and discuss possible solutions.
Sociologist and workshop developer Maria Brown explained that, from the focus groups, the team found that many parents wished to work towards a more balanced and healthy diet and include exercise on a regular basis. Many parents also spoke about the need to invest more in quality family time to combat isolation related to the unbalanced use of devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and television.
Other issues raised by the parents included the limited availability of public and recreational spaces, difficulties in creating a work-life balance and the strengths and weaknesses of globalisation and technology.
The Ċaqlaq team will continue to tour local schools and engage children in grades 1 to 3 with creative and interactive talks as well as hosting a new series of interactive workshops.