Thanks, interesting that teachers are having this dialogue too.

One area of work that I find also impacts on young people…..teenagers happiness and ability to concentrate in the classroom is having their basic needs met. Take a look at this http://www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk/emotional_wellbeing/emotional_wellbeing.html

Jill

It is great to see an article that backs up some of the thinking of the teaching profession. One of the conversations often heard in the staff room at the beginning of the school year concentrates on how poorly equiped many children are for school life (not because of the lowered school age). They often lack linguistic skills, appear to have poor thinking skills, many have poor social skills, lack self control and they may lack gross and fine motor control.

The question we are always debating is WHY? The answers always numerous, varied and include the usual social arguments of breakdown of family life etc. Also included is the way in which children play, how modern toys suppress imaginative and problem solving activity. How the TV, which children spend many hours watching, provides visual but not necessarily linguistic stimulation. The lack of improvisation - all mum’s saucepans and a wooden spoon no longer make a great drumkit. Also how letting children loose in the garden appears to be out of fashion - they may get dirty or worse still scratch themselves. Clean play is in but as well as involving very little that promotes cognitive development it also negates risk taking which is vital for the development of resiliance.

Sue Palmer a writer, broadcaster and consultant in early education and literacy has published two books on the effects of modern life on childhood - ‘Toxic Childhood’ and ‘Detoxifying Childhood’. The reviews for these books are good but I am unable to make a personal recommendation as my copies sit on a shelf unread because of lack of time

For me the most interesting point made in your article is that imaginitive play promotes executive function which regulates impulses and behaviour leading to better social skills. Poor behaviour and social skills are often put down to social influences - this idea is now challenged and I shall be watching with great interest for more on this subject.

Sylvia

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I will check out his book.

Jill

Thank you a really great informative article - I have just read a few articles written by Carl Honore - his book ‘in praise of slow’ talks all about the speed of life and how it is so easy to speed up especially with regards to parenting. As a parent it was refreshing to read what you have said & to realise that slowing down and enjoying our children playing and being children is the greatest gift we can share as parents. I really recommend his articles and book which support all that you mention.

Many thanks,
Emma

Hey that is such a lovely email to start the day with, thanks.

My information was drawn from the work of Laura Berk, here are two links to an article that mentions her work and a link to her website

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=76838288

http://www.abacon.com/berk/ica/index.html

You may also find these links interesting.

This is a way at looking at all human emotional and physical health. The need for creativity and control would apply to children and adults alike.

http://www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk/emotional_wellbeing/emotional_wellbeing.html

We don’t have any other articles specifically directed at children, but people who I think talk a lot of sense are Stephen Bidolf

http://www.stevebiddulph.com/raising-boys.htm

And although this man Martin Seligman has done extensive work on the psychology of happiness, his web site is worth visit to get an idea of what he has found. Take a look particularly at ‘explanatory styles.’ again it can relate to children as much as adults.

http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

And one last idea is that research show the huge benefits that children who get stories told to them regularly are way ahead of those who don’t.

Anyway just a few ideas for your next ‘googling’ session:)

Best wishes

Jill