Time for Parenting...

...because raising children is a full-time job

May 2001 Newsletter

Editorial; Daycare Damage; In Your Own Words; What The Papers Say; "Children: A Financial Forfeit"; Your Letters

What the papers say

Research into child development has been hitting the headlines in the past few months, with the press extolling the benefits of time spent in simple play with children, writes Alex Nightingale

The Daily Mail in January heralded Playtime as key to a good life, citing research by educational psychologist Dr Kathy Sylva of Oxford University that 'children who had a less structured early education, based on play and song, were more likely to stay married, to vote, to read newspapers and to stay out of prison in later life.' This was echoed by the Commons Education Select Committee, who expressed concern at 'evidence that parents have come under inappropriate pressure to enrol their children in reception classes before they are ready.' Their report suggested that four-year-olds benefit from the informal environment of nurseries or playgroups, but parents were afraid of missing out on primary school places if they did not enrol their children at 4. Many playgroups are facing financial crisis as a result of this, according to the Pre-School Learning Alliance (a subject we have covered before, see FTM newsletters Autumn and Winter 2000).

Playgroups aside, evidence shows that "the behaviour of children is directly affected by the amount of time parents devote to reciting them stories, rhymes and songs.' Under the headline Storytime holds the secret of a happy childhood, the Mail reported the findings of a Government-backed study by Professor Edward Melhuish of Birkbeck College that children who spend the most time on these activities at home are 'more co-operative, confident and sociable.' The benefits of a book at bedtime are proven!

The Sunday Times continued this theme under the eye-catching headline Children play less the more toys they get, in which research by Dr Kathy Sylva was again cited to show that 'children with relatively few toys, whose parents spend more time reading, singing or playing with them...surpass youngsters from more affluent backgrounds - even those who had access to computers.' Children with too many toys, particularly electronic ones which restrict their creativity and imagination ('the essence of childhood') suffer a sense of overload, hampering their ability to play and can even harm their development. Dr Sylva's research was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council in response to concerns that 'childhood is being irrevocably altered by parents substituting toys, computers and television for spending time with their children.' What should we be doing? 'The more books the better,' said one expert!

So beware what the Daily Mail terms the 'guilt-edged' life of the 'Power Mum' in which, according to market researchers Mintel, 'children are lavished with designer clothes as parents compensate for their absences.'

Meanwhile, we are encouraged to shop for childcare along with the groceries! through access to the new Government website Childcarelink in Tesco. Take heart, full time mothers - none of it can outdo the (free) comfort of your lap and your voice reading a good story!