Articles of Interest April 2012

There have been numerous articles in the press recently on topics relating to children and the early child care and education sector, so we have included some of these which may be of interest to you…

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Early childhood education by parents determines a student’s potential later on

The importance of high quality early childhood care and education and the financial savings from investment in the early years sector, is highlighted in this article.

Pre-schoolers whose parents provide a stimulating home life are still reaping the benefits at the age of 14, research suggests. A study by the Institute of Education (IoE) has found that the quality of learning during a child’s early years has a strong impact on achievement in secondary school.

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 “Nature Deficit Disorder” Gaining Wider Acceptance

With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, why not  celebrate it by going outdoors and getting some exercise in while you are appreciating the natural environment.This article stresses the importance of children exercising outdoors.

In 2005, Richard Louv coined the term “nature deficit disorder” to better explain the growing concerns and ramifications associated with a person’s prolonged separation from nature. Louv focused the majority of his attention on children in his bestseller book, “Last Child in the Woods,” and there’s good reason why: American children now spend 90% of their time indoors according to the EPA. Yet in only a few short years, acceptance of “nature deficit disorder” as a legitimate psychological and societal issue is very much on the rise, including concern among the adult population as well.

This was the impetus for a weekend opinion piece in the New York Times by Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Timothy Egan, who draws attention to the alarming rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity among both children and adults nationwide. “Medical costs associated with obesity and inactivity are nearly $150 billion a year,” Egan notes. Furthermore, he goes on to assert that “Kids who do play outside are less likely to get sick, to be stressed or become aggressive, and are more adaptable to life’s unpredictable turns.” Yet, “in less than a generation’s time, millions of people [have] completely decoupled themselves from nature.”

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Health services for people with autism poorly developed

April 2nd was World Autism Day with many issues being highlighted in Ireland, such as more additional supports for parents and preschools are needed:

OPINION: Why does the Republic of Ireland not have an autism-specific strategy or autism legislation?

On December 18th, 2007, the United Nations designated April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year as of 2008. Its concern arose out of the high prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in all countries of the world and the subsequent effects on children, families, communities and societies.

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Children’s rights referendum will change child protection system forever

Frances Fitzgerald, the Minister for Children , highlights the importance of the Children’s Rights Referendum with regard to the Child Protection System in Ireland.

Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald has promised to end what she called the “shambolic” child protection system put in place by the previous Government.

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BAI launches consultation on Draft General and Children’s Commercial Communications Codes

In order to tackle the growing levels of childhood obesity, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have made a proposal to regulate the promotion  of food and drinks that are high in fat, salt and sugar before 6pm.

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (30^th March) launched a public consultation on a new Draft Children’s Commercial Communications Code and a new Draft General Commercial Communications Code.

Under existing rules, commercial communications which are of particular interest to children or those broadcast during children’s programmes, are required to be responsible in their messaging and portrayal of food and drink to those aged under 18.  Commercial communications include advertising, sponsorship and product placement.

The Draft Codes deal, in particular, with the approach to be taken to the regulation of commercial communications for products that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS).  To this end, it recommends the adoption of the ‘nutrient profiling model’ which is a tool developed for use by the broadcast media to assess the nutritional profile of food and non-alcoholic drink.

Cheese ads for children face ban

Celebrities and sports stars, health and nutrition claims, cartoon characters and cheese will be banned from all food advertisements aimed at children, under a new draft code just published by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Other foods that should not be advertised to children include potato crisps, including low fat; most breakfast cereals; biscuits and cakes; confectionary; most pizzas, sausages and burgers; mayonnaise; sweetened milkshakes and fruit juices; cola and fizzy drinks, except diet versions, and, butter and margarine.

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Learning through play, all day long

The importance of playing outdoors, being active  and improving physical literacy are highlighted in this article by Sheila Wayman.

Given half a chance, young children are wonders of perpetual motion: they run, they jump, they climb, they tumble, learning about the world through their physicality.

Yet modern life seems geared towards constraining them. It is too dangerous to let them roam freely – and who has the time to travel at the pace of a child these days? Into the car or buggy they go, clunk click every trip.

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Let us know your opinion on these topics by emailing  kjohnson@earlychildhoodireland.ie