In conjunction with National TV-Turnoff Week, FIRST 5 Mendocino has promoted Turn Off TV~Turn On Life Week in Mendocino County for the last six years. First 5 Mendocino hopes to encourage caregivers to spend more time interacting with young children and nurturing them and less time in front of the television and other video screens.

Research shows that the average American watches four hours of television each day. Children, too, are spending more time in front of the tube than ever before, watching more television in one year than being in school. Excessive TV viewing has been linked to hindered brain development; obesity and its related illnesses; less family time; poor reading skills, academic performance, and attention spans; and increases in violent behavior, substance abuse, and stereotyping.

To promote Turn Off TV~Turn On Life Week, First 5 Mendocino launched a coordinated media campaign and a comprehensive outreach effort-all designed to encourage caregivers to spend quality time interacting with their children and to critically examine media's influential role in shaping the health and development of their children.

101 Screen-Free Activities
Healthy TV Viewing Habits
Instructions for Family Pizza Night
Instrucciones para Noche familiar con Pizza