Child’s play isn’t what it used to be

CHILDREN are swapping street games for computer consoles and not taking enough exercise. The Department of Health found almost half of children watched television or played video games before school and only a fifth did something active after dinner. Reporter BEATRIZ AYALA and photographer CHRIS SUNDERLAND went to Chadderton to gauge opinion . . .

Hannah Lemon (23), from Whalley Range, said: “Children should be playing after school not watching TV and playing on computer games.

“But it’s also not safe to play outside.

“I grew up in Derbyshire on a farm with an enclosed garden, and I hated watching TV. I was on my bike, or playing with friends, I couldn’t wait to get home from school and go back out again.

“There are too many distractions these days. Sometimes parents are at fault because they don’t take interest in their children and can’t be bothered.”

Rahul Hussain (18), from Chadderton, believes children should be taking up exercise while still young.

He said: “When I was young I wanted to go out and play football, but the older you get, you’re body gets lazy.”

John Lynch (61), from Chadderton, said: “When you see children now, they are a lot bigger than when we were children.

“There wasn’t the amount of fast food that there is now.

“When I was young, we used to go in the fields but there aren’t as many fields as there used to be. In a way, I feel sorry for children these days.”

His daughter Jane Hough (33), from Sholver, is pleased with the activities offered at her son’s school.

She said: “My lad, who is eight, goes to Hodge Clough Junior School and he does football club and arts club. It’s helpful because its all free.

“It’s hard because my lad loves computer games but when the weather is good he loves to be out.

“It bothers me letting him go out but there is a park near by.”

Her mother Glynis Lynch (56), from Chadderton, said laziness is why children are not exercising enough.

She said: “I can’t be doing with children staying in if it’s a nice day. Although when my daughter was young, there were youth clubs for them to go to.”

Angela Walker (40), from Parkway, Chadderton, said: “There should be more after school clubs and activities, although a lot of them such as karate are quite dear.”

Fred Bardsley (69), from Chadderton, said the statistic was a sign of the times.

He said: “I’ve got 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, the eldest of which always comes round with her Nintendo.

“However, some of my grandchildren do dance classes and play in the garden. I don’t think its easy these days to be active, TV draws them in too much.

“It’s hard to say who is at fault. It’s easy to blame the parents but when you are home from work, it’s hard to run around with the children.”

Christine Bowden (59), from Middleton Road, said walking to school would be a good way to get children active.

She said: “My granddaughters go out walking the dog, they play netball and tennis and they walk to school.

“The statistic doesn’t surprise me, the computer is addictive and they have homework to do after school.

“Getting kids walking to school would be a good, its exercise without seeming like exercise.

“I’m amazed at how many people so close to school still take the car.”