Riley Hoggarth, 23months drawing on a chalk board. LINDSEY DICKINGS Convincing children to step away from the tablet, mobile, computer or TV screen is a challenge for mums and dads.
More than a fifth of parents (23 per cent) in the North West struggle to get their children to “unplug” and take part in activities away from technology, according to a survey published by Action for Children.
When asked which behaviour they found most difficult to control in their children, more parents said they struggled to limit screen activities, than getting them to eat the right food (21 per cent) or encouraging them to go to bed at night (15 per cent). 
Parents, staff and children join in singing time. LINDSEY DICKINGS
The findings come amid continuing concerns that youngsters may be spending too much time online or watching TV, with some experts previously warning that pupils can turn up to school tired after spending time in front of a screen late at night.
Action for Children says technology is often a necessary part of the lives of children and parents, but it is important to maintain a balance with other activities and quality family time. The charity is running the National Children’s Hour campaign to encourage parents to unplug and play.
Music time. LINDSEY DICKINGS At the seven children’s centres run by Action for Children across Barrow, Walney and Dalton, there are early years sessions promoting traditional activities without technology every week.
The centres also ask parents to refrain from looking at their mobile phones while at the sessions as children copy behaviour.
The Little Learners groups promote early years skills through song, stories, music, crafts, soft play, role play and outdoor activities for the under fours. 
Riley Hoggarth, 23 months, racing cars. LINDSEY DICKINGS
Jill Kassell, senior practioner at the Greengate Children’s Centre said: “Technology is not an evil, it does play an integral part in children’s development, but it is getting a healthy balance and going back to basics with traditional play.
“It’s so vital having arts and crafts and other traditional activities for speech and language, fine motor skills, and it is that interaction between parents and carers that is so vital that you lose with solitary activities using technology.
“We want to sign post parents to positive activities they can continue at home.”
Emma Wilkinson is a mum of three, with another on the way. She was attending the session with her three-year-old son Bobby.
The mum said: “The groups are great. Bobby has come on loads and he is coming out of his shell.
“My children are good in the way they use technology because they aren’t on them for too long. I’m aware they shouldn’t be on them for a long time. But some children want the devices charging up again as soon as the battery dies to be back on them. I like the traditional activities.” 
Ayla-Faith Hill. LINDSEY DICKINGS
Mum-of-five Lynne Hill, 31, of Barrow was at Little Learners with her youngest child, Ayla-Faith, age eight months.
She said: “I’m lucky that my children want to be out and about.
“If you have a parent that sits on the computer all the time then children may copy. You see people on their phones and you think interact with your children.
“My 11-year-old has an Xbox and she is only allowed an hour a day on it, I want her doing other things.”
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