Literacy news
Turn off the TV. Forget Facebook. Just give your kids some time
19 Oct 2007
An article in the Guardian, by Henry Porter, considered the state of children's emotional wellbeing and the importance of families spending time together. The article noted reports which show children as unable to write their own names or string a sentence together when starting school, and the UNICEF report which showed British children as the unhappiest from the Western world.
The article highlighted that investment from government of £21bn in schemes such as SureStart means that a lack of funds cannot be blamed. It suggested that the real problem is ourselves, with adult society and individualism having an impact on those in the next generation.
Porter writes that some children's needs are perhaps not being met, in terms of time spent with them, listening to them and giving them security but also freedom to explore. Children's acute fear of traffic, worries about gangs, lack of respect and obsessions with celebrity culture are just some of the impacts suggested.
Education targets are also highlighted with Dr Anthony Seldon, Tony Blair's autobiographer and headmaster of Wellington College, quoted. "The degree of testing is an absurdity. Schools are in fear of Ofsted - whereas the relationship should be one of respect - and that fear is passed onto the children."
Outward facing buggies are mentioned, suggesting a reason why parents after 1975 are failing to connect with their children. Early communication teaches baby language and the ability to read facial expressions. A family learning co-ordinator is quoted in the article and said, "If an infant is used to not speaking, he or she doesn't know how to listen either. And when you don't listen you don't learn." An inability to read facial expressions was highlighted as a consequence of this, hence insecurities and bullying commencing at an early age in the playground and the beginnings of gang culture.
Other causes suggested in the article by Anthony Seldon included long hours culture, children spending considerable time on computers, a lack of family meals, and parents not talking to their children. Above all, the article emphasised the need for parents to spend time with their children as being a simple yet vital component in growing up.
(Observer, 19.10.07)
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